In 2022, award winning wildlife photographer and conversationist, Paul Goldstein, ran his 25th marathon in his tiger suit - on Everest. He has raised over £500,000 for endangered Bengal tigers. Last summer he walked 25 marathons …in 25 days. Hundreds of others joined him. This year he is walking 500 miles from Anglesey to Southend-on-Sea followed by a short break (or convalescence) then Southend to Land’s End. Most of the days will be marathon length, except some of the brutally hilly ones which have been tempered a little. There will be some spectacular trekking along some of the finest walks in Europe. Importantly, like last year, this will touch many people, thousands in fact. Put simply…it matters, and it matters particularly to the eleven villages surrounding the core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park in India who have suffered for years with tiger conflict resulting in yearly tragedies for both cattle and humans. The ‘wet work’ is carried out generally at night so a hundred powerful solar lights will decrease the conflict dramatically. £40,000 is the target.

In addition to this, the mountain tigers of Bhutan eke out a precarious existence at high altitude with very little known of their habits, particularly their early creches. Tigers cannot flourish without protection and education and 2Legsfor4 1000 is proudly raising funds for research and camera traps to safeguard this small but vital population.

Bengal tigers are endangered. The storyline is that their numbers are increasing, if we are to believe the census… Illegal poaching, human-wildlife conflict and habitat loss are leaving indelible scars on their numbers. However, it is the insidious evil of Chinese traditional medicine that has the most savage effect on their future. Almost every part of their anatomy is harvested for use in this despicable market. Angry…? You should be and this summer you can do something about it.

To join a walk, simply register using the form and send the website link to your (fit) friends. There’s no charge to take part, although a donation to the cause would be very welcome. You will need to download the OS Maps app (free trial for two weeks) to follow the carefully plotted route.

You can see his route, read his blog or donate via the following link 2legsfor4.co.uk.