Plucky Truro councillor and former mayor Steven Webb has passed the 300-mile point in his 500-mile circumnavigation of the Cornwall coastline and border.

Members of the public are welcome join him on Sunday when he enters Truro city centre, passing County Hall, the old City Hospital, Victoria Gardens and Truro Cathedral before coming through Boscawen Street to cross the finish line on Back Quay at 2pm, to confetti cannons and the sounds of Pendennis Brass and choir.

So far, Steven has raised almost £6,000 towards a target of £20,000 for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust’s #heli2 fundraising appeal for a second helicopter, via his JustGiving page and also by shaking a bucket en route.

He rolled into Penzance on Friday in his electric wheelchair, dressed in his distinctive red helicopter pilot’s uniform, and wobbled on the cobbles to reach St Michael’s Mount at low tide yesterday [SUNDAY].

He went off course last Wednesday to visit the Isles of Scilly, sailing on the Scillonian. There he learned how important the Cornwall Air Ambulance is to residents on the archipelago, who have limited hospital facilities on St Mary’s and have to come to the mainland for emergency treatment. “The helicopter can get to Scilly in 28 minutes – a lot quicker than the Scillonian.”

Steven’s “pilgrimage” has had its ups and downs, including watching dolphins swimming below Hell’s Mouth, and an enforced rest day after his wheelchair was defeated by the hilly terrain and the terrible weather conditions between Bude to Boscastle.

Special moments have been shared with friends and family, including daughter Kember and granddaughter Koa, staff from sponsors Coodes solicitors, and chance encounters with people whose lives had been touched by the work of Cornwall Air Ambulance.

“It means a lot when people come out to meet me,” said Steven. “They could stay in the office, nice and warm, or come out to meet a crazy person doing crazy things.”  

He has also developed a “fetish” for signs, which have come to signify arrival and progress. “Every mile is about 10 minutes and the concentration you need is exhausting,” he explained.

Along the way, Steven has handed out commemorative plaques to diverse recipients including Newquay’s Headland Hotel, Tate St Ives, Juliet’s Tea Garden on St Mary’s and the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno.

He kept Saturday free to wave off the Split or Bust Banger Rally from Charlestown, and is now forging ahead to complete his mission.

“I love the fact I’m doing something which really gives me joy and gives back,” he said.  “The people I meet and stories I hear are really humbling, as is the support and generosity of the public.”

Learn more about the Cornwall 500 route, and donate to Steven’s cause, at https://thecornwall500.com/