THE High Sheriff of Derbyshire said he had a "wonderful and memorable experience" after donning his hiking boots to walk 220 miles around the county.
Former Chief Constable David Coleman spent 16 days walking, over five weeks, to complete his tour of the border of Derbyshire.
The main purpose of the walk was to raise funds for mountain rescue teams in the Peak District and for the High Sheriff's Fund, which works with young people to divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Coleman, 61 – who came up with the idea after researching his role as High Sheriff – said: "I've been overwhelmed with the fantastic support I've received from so many people along the way.
"Derbyshire is a county of contrasts and has beauty in many forms.
"But what it also has is the warmest, friendliest, most helpful people you could ever wish to meet – and I've been fortunate to meet many of them in the past few weeks."
Mr Coleman completed his walk at Codnor Park, after a hike from Melbourne to Long Eaton two days before – where he was accompanied by members of the Derby Mountain Rescue Team.
He was also joined on this walk by friend John Thomas, who planned it; the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Willie Tucker; and Deputy Lieutenant Griselda Kerr.
He said: "If you haven't been to Melbourne, please do – it's a delightful old village with many architectural gems and well worth a visit.
"We used the Cloud Trail as far as the Trent and Mersey Canal and then the canal towpath through to Long Eaton, via Shardlow, Sawley and Trent Lock."
Mr Coleman said he was then joined by 49 walkers on the final stretch from Long Eaton to Codnor Park along the Erewash Canal and Cromford Canal led by Under Sheriff Andrew Cochrane and his wife, Karen.
Mr Coleman said: "The day went superbly well and was without incident until one of the walkers, Louise Doble, unfortunately suffered a broken ankle when she slipped against a stone on the path, just two miles from the end."
Mr Coleman said first-aiders from the mountain rescue team helped to take Louise to the finish line, so her husband could accompany her to hospital.
He said "I'm really sorry Louise suffered an injury while supporting my walk and I hope she gets well soon. So, slightly delayed by the accident, we arrived in the fitting glow of a beautiful sunset at Codnor Park at about 7.30pm – to warm applause from the participants."
Mr Coleman said he planned to write a guide about the walk.
To donate, visit www.derbyshirehighsheriff.co.uk.
