A TRAIN driver who walked from Edinburgh to North Berwick for a good cause has almost tripled his initial fundraising target.

Adrian Bayne, 46, took on the walk on September 26, joined by friend Simon Davie, Fa’side Area Partnership area manager.

The pair had hoped to be joined by rail industry colleagues, members of Tranent Amateur Swimming Club – where Adrian is chairman – and members of mental health support group Lend an Ear East Lothian.

However, due to coronavirus restrictions, this was not possible, though they were unexpectedly joined by two rail colleagues who walked behind them.

Adrian and Simon started at Edinburgh Waverley Station at 8am and walked 26.54 miles in eight hours and 14 minutes, arriving at North Berwick Railway Station at 5.30pm.

They stopped at 2.30pm in Aberlady to refuel at Ducks Inn before taking on the rest of the walk.

Adrian said: “I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m glad to have done it.

“A lot of people were out through the Pans wishing us well and people were donating on the way. The last two miles were absolute agony but we totally carried each other.

“The weather was beautiful until we got between the Pans and Aberlady – it was freezing and we were walking along the coast with shorts on.

“We celebrated the finish with an ice cream and a paddle in the sea at North Berwick.”

He added that the venture “gave us an appetite for next year”, with the next challenge possibly having an ‘elephant’ theme, relating to the “elephant in the room” that is mental health.

Adrian said: “Hopefully we can get more people involved in it next year. I’m doing the Walk With Scott Foundation walk in May and then my challenge in September.”

Now, and thanks to this latest walking challenge, Adrian has only 14 miles left of the John Muir Way until he has finished the entire route.

Adrian, who works for LNER and has done so for nearly 20 years, was raising money in aid of The Compassionate Friends, a peer support group formed by and for parents whose children have died.

Raising money for The Compassionate Friends stemmed from personal struggles, as well as helping a young man who was in a suicidal position.

The father-of-two, of Prestonpans’ Caledonian Crescent, said: “No parent should ever have to go through losing a child. Mental health is an issue, a big issue.”

Adrian had wanted to raise £500 but has now topped £1,300.

He said: “I can’t believe it. I got £500 and kind of thought ‘great, I’ve hit my target’, but then it soon grew and grew.

“It’s unbelievable. Thanks to everyone who has donated, it’s brilliant.”

Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/Adrian-Bayne

find out more about The Compassionate Friends at tcf.org.uk