A WEST FIFE actor has raised a staggering £33,500 and counting by journeying from John O'Groats to Land's End by Highland pony in memory of his late friend.

The trek for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust called 'The Big Hoof' took Louis Hall 57 days to complete the 1,147 miles alongside his trusty companion, Irelanda.

The 24-year-old, from Oakley, was inspired to take on the "extraordinary" trip during lockdown when reflecting on how vulnerable people who live with cystic fibrosis are affected by the current pandemic, as reported previously in the Press.

Louis has been affected personally by the disease, which claimed the life of family friend Leo Van Heyningen in 2015 at the age of just 26.

On his travels, Louis fell into a sink hole, met author Michael Morpurgo, walked 80 miles on foot when Irelanda went lame, stayed with a circus, was almost crushed by a falling tree in Storm Francis, and was charged by a cow in Cumbria!

But even with all that excitement, it was the generosity of strangers that made the most impact on Louis.

He told the Press: "I can safely say it was extraordinary; dangerous, invigorating and wild.

"I saw an incredible side to the Scottish and English public; an unfaltering generosity and kindness that fuelled my hope.

"There was never a single day where I felt alone and people were always were on my side.

"There were some very low moments where I thought I may have taken on too much but I never doubted what I was doing because so many people were urging me on.

"Around 150 to 200 people were there to welcome me at the end which was a huge surprise!

"Even Irelanda stopped and didn't know what to do about the fantastic reception!

"There were lots of people that I didn't know but had followed my journey and those who will be helped by the money raised."

Louis kept everyone updated with his progress with a dedicated Facebook and Instagram page.

"The following just seem to grow and grow," he said.

"Every day, I received messages and Leo's parents kept in touch with me the whole way.

"It seemed to create part of a community and I can't believe how much was raised and it's still coming in when the target was £10,000!

"I had a very grateful and teary conversation with Leo's family on the anniversary of his death.

"It's always a hard time but they said this year they felt with hope of memories of the best kind.

"Leo was full of hope – hope that there would be an advancement to cure cystic fibrosis so I'm glad that's the feeling the trek brought."

But it's far from the end for 'The Big Hoof' as Louis is now in talks with a producer and director to take on another trek but this time to make it into a documentary.

He is also creating a picture book that will be sold (with proceeds going to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust) and he is also then planning on writing an illustrated book about the journey and it's easy to see why!

Recalling some of his more testing moments, he said: "There was a moment when we reached the Borders when Irelanda went lame so I walked 80 miles.

"After that, my left foot was in agony because it was swollen and I remember thinking how on earth we were going to get there – we were barely a third of the way and hadn't reached £10,000.

"But somehow we kept going and finished it!

"There were scary moments too; like when were in bogland in Scotland, went through a puddle and suddenly we had dropped into water that was the height of my waste.

"Irelanda and myself scrambled out and we were with another rider at that point whose horse was really shaken up but Irelanda just shook it off and became even more determined!

"We also had to canter for five miles through a forest in Storm Francis when I realised trees were about to fall on us.

"A cow started charging at us when she was separated from her calves too – all I could remember is that you can't outride them so I jumped off and started screaming and luckily she backed off.

"Irelanda and I are very much bonded now – we were each other's only companion and and she would sleep by my tent every night to make sure I was protected!

"The trek just became a lifestyle for us!"

To donate, visit the JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louis-hallcf