A mental health campaigner who went on a 200-mile ride with his pony said it helped him discover the “kindness of strangers”.

Roger Sewill sets off from Charlwood, through five counties and finishes in Sherborne, Dorset, to raise funds and awareness for the charity British nationals, which supports isolated people from rural areas.

Along the way he is accompanied by Scarlet, a Dales pony.

Updating BBC Radio Surrey on his progress, he described “welcome wherever I’ve been” as extraordinary.

He said this was particularly useful during Storm Ashleigh.

“I was at the top of the South Downs and the last thing I wanted to be was up there with 40 or 50mph winds.

“Someone I knew started ringing and a stable nearby said ‘yes, come and stay’.

“I had to sleep on the floor of the room but it was fine and they looked after Scarlet.

“Every place we’ve been, everyone has looked after Scarlet, or people have offered us cups of tea or stopped to chat, and that’s been a really rewarding addition to this trip.”

He said he and Scarlet are “really into our stride” and cover about 13 miles a day.

“Going with Scarlet, so many people come up to me to stop and chat and I think the ability to be able to communicate with each other is a really good thing.

“That’s what the charity does, it gives people the opportunity to be with people who can support them.”