Walk to repay £20,000 rescue cost

Seb Green has so far raised more than £14,000 for two Dorset charities

A teenager who sparked a land and air rescue operation after stealing a boat has almost completed a sponsored walk around Britain to make amends.

Seb Green was 15 when he and a friend sparked a search costing £20,000 when they got stranded near Weymouth Harbour, Dorset, in May 2004.

He set off from Preston, Dorset, on his 5,821-mile (9,367km) walk with his border collie Flash on 1 February.

Mr Green, from Weymouth, hopes to be back at Preston on 14 December.

On Sunday, he celebrated his 19th birthday in Plymouth.

My attitude towards life has changed, I see life as a privilege Seb Green

So far the youngster has raised £14,000 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Starlight Children's Foundation, a charity which grants wishes for seriously and terminally ill children and provides hospital entertainment.

Mr Green's target is £20,000.

"It was a very stupid thing to do," he said.

"At the time I felt extremely guilty but as time has moved on the sense of guilt has faded because I am now planning to repay the community and some of the money it cost to rescue me.

"My attitude towards life has changed.

"I see life as a privilege and you only get out what you put in but you can achieve whatever you want."

Mr Green and his friend became stranded in mud in Fleet Lagoon late at night on 8 May 2004.

Screaming for help

Both teenagers began shouting for help and as he got out of the boat to walk to safety he became stuck up to his waist in mud.

Fortunately, a passer-by heard their screams and called for help.

The coastguard helicopter, Dorset Police helicopter, two coastguard land-based teams and two RNLI lifeboats were scrambled to rescue the pair.

They were plucked to safety by the coastguard helicopter at about midnight.

Mr Green and his three-year-old pet walked to Dover along the Thames Estuary, up to Scotland taking in John O'Groats, before heading back south walking through Wales, Lands End and The Lizard, in Cornwall.

He plans to study Biology and English A' levels before joining the Royal Marines.