A man from south west London has is roughly halfway through a charity challenge of walking 1,000 miles with a 9ft-high tiger strapped to his back.

Wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein, 63, has already walked more than 550 miles to raise awareness for endangered Bengal tigers.

Paul, from Wimbledon, wants to raise £50,000 for Explorers Against Extinction, an animal conservation charity focusing on reducing the threats facing wild tigers face while also funding practical conservation initiatives that protect both the species and the communities living alongside them.

So far, he’s raised £29,000.

Paul with the tiger walking up The Mall. Credit: 2 Legs for 4

Throughout the challenge, Paul carries a 13kg, nine-foot tiger, created by Norfolk-based designer Liz Putland. The tiger is based on one of his photographs of a wild Bengal tigress taken in 2005. 

The tiger has accompanied Paul on a number of marathons, including the London Marathon and the Everest Marathon.

Paul began his is journey in Greenwich Pier Station this morning and will end the 23rd day of the challenge in Wimbledon – walking a total distance of 26.3 miles.

The route takes in the Thames, Blackfriars, Waterloo Bridge, Covent Garden, Soho, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, The Mall, St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Chelsea Bridge, Battersea Park, the Thames riverside and Wimbledon Common.

The campaigner is encouraging “anyone with a pair of walking shoes or boots – and a reasonable sense of humour” to join him for as far as they can manage.

Paul with the tiger walking through London’s China Town. Credit: 2 Legs for 4

Where to see Paul along the route

Paul Goldstein will be walking his thousand miles in two legs.

The first from Holyhead to Southend-on-Sea, which he has already completed, and the second, from Southend-on-Sea to Land’s End as part of his challege.

The rest of his route is listed below:

Wimbledon to Woking

Woking to Alton

Alton to Winchester

Winchester to Brockenhurst

Brockenhurst to Poole

Poole to Kimmeridge

Kimmeridge to Weymouth

Weymouth to Bridport

Bridport to Beer

Beer to Exmouth

Exmouth to Moretonhampstead

Moretonhampstead to Tavistock

Tavistock to Liskeard

Liskeard to St Austell

St Austell to East Portaholland

East Portaholland to Maenporth (Falmouth)

Maenporth (Falmouth) to Lizard

Lizard to Penzance

Penzance to Land’s End

He’s expected finish on September 12, 2026.

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