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Flip-flop hiker lugs postbox in loneliness quest

Stu Skinner A laughing Stu Skinner gives a double thumbs up to the camera. On his back is a backpack with a red rectangular post box poking out the top. He has a full brown beard and is standing side-on to the camera. He appears to be in a domestic garage and is wearing black hiking gear and a black baseball cap. Stu Skinner
Stu Skinner bought the postbox at a charity auction

A flip-flop-wearing adventurer is on a mission to climb some of Britain's tallest peaks, carrying a 26kg (57lb) cast iron postbox he bought when he was drunk.

Stu Skinner, from Weymouth, Dorset, is inviting people to join him on his quest to reach the highest point in all 15 national parks to raise awareness of loneliness.

The hikes range from 25ft (7.6m) elevation to 3,025ft (922m), giving people of all abilities a chance to take part.

Mr Skinner, who advocates outdoor activities to aid mental health, will be inviting participants to send postcards from the peaks, or request them via his website.

Stu Skinner A laughing Stu Skinner pokes his tongue out for the camera during a rainy hike. He is wearing black hiking gear with a hood and carrying two full backpacks on his front and back. He is also holding Nordic hiking poles in his hands. His feet are bare with the exception of a pair of flip flops. The landscape is bare dark grey stone, dotted large spiky tufts of grass. A person in the background is wearing a poncho and carrying an umbrella.Stu Skinner
Stu Skinner is known for his flip-flop adventures

He freely admits the postbox had been an "absurd and questionable" purchase during a boozy night at a charity auction.

"I had a few too many drinks and woke up in a hotel room with a cast iron Royal Mail postbox," he said.

"It was quite a surprise."

Mr Skinner initially thought the £700 purchase could be a feature piece before coming up with Postcards from Peaks.

"I was chronically lonely and the postbox is a symbol of community and connection.

"I thought I could go on these hikes and invite people from the community to join me, and post postcards from the peaks."

An online form also allows supporters to send postcards or request one for themselves.

Stu Skinner tells Radio Solent how a drunken auction turned into a flip-flop challenge

The challenge begins on 31 May at Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, in North Wales, and concludes on 6 September with Ben Macdui, in the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands.

Easier routes include Strumpshaw Hill, the highest point in the Norfolk Broads, but Mr Skinner assured participants that "nobody will be left behind" on any of the hikes.

"I'll be carrying a postbox in flip flops, so don't worry about pace," he said.

"If anything, you might end up waiting for me at the summit."

Donations will go towards Head Outside, the mental health charity founded by Mr Skinner.

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