96-year-old hands over donation to Queen's Pier Restoration Trust after walking challenge

Vincent Watkins has visited every Manx lighthouse and harbour light

A 96-year-old man from Douglas has handed over hundreds of pounds of donations to the Queen's Pier Restoration Trust after completing a mammoth walking challenge.

Vincent Watkins has walked to all of the Island's lighthouses and harbour lights.

From his home in Douglas Mr Watkins walks the length of the capital's promenade almost daily, as he has done for decades.

Born in Pontypool in Wales, in 1928, Vincent moved to the Isle of Man in the early 1950s to work on the gas holders at Douglas harbour.

Whilst working on the Island he met his future wife, who he married in Braddan Church, before making the move permanent and taking up work with local construction companies.

This year's walking challenge began in September when Mr Watkins decided to take part in the Sight Matters' walk from Douglas to Peel along the heritage trail - he completed it in just over four hours.

The following month he decided to begin the lighthouse and harbour lights' challenge to raise funds for the Queen's Pier project.

His family, who've supported him along the way, say: "While most of the harbour lights were relatively easy to get to, we had to go out to the Derbyhaven one at low tide. 

"He'd never been there before. It was lovely to walk to the Langness light as there was so much wildlife.

"Maughold and Douglas lighthouses involved a climb down and back up. 

"He said his favourite lighthouse was at the Point of Ayre."

Yesterday (11 December) Vincent handed over the money he'd raised at a special cheque presentation and told Manx Radio why he wanted to support the project: 

Alongside the £195 Mr Watkins was able to hand over to the Queen's Pier Restoration Trust in cash it's thought more than £200 has been directed to the project's GoFundMe page thanks to his efforts.