AN ISLE of Wight man is on the brink of becoming the first person in the UK to stand up paddleboard the circumference of the outer Hebrides.

Charlie Head, 41, is currently circumnavigating the Scottish coastline on his paddleboard to raise funds for mental health charity Dare 2 Express.

Charlie was subjected to challenges during his time as a child at school, impacting his own mental health, with the cause a close one to his heart.

His journey most recently took him south east, venturing 70km across The Inner Hebridean Sea and landing on the Isles of Coll and Tiree. He is currently based at Iona, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland.

Charlie is an endurance athlete who undertakes a series of extreme challenges, solo and unsupported, while tackling his relationship with his mental health.

Since September 27, Charlie has paddled from Berwick upon Tweed to John O’Groats, along the north coast, and around Cape Wrath.

Despite his extensive experience and preparation, Charlie’s challenges are rarely straightforward, with a focus on sustainability and camping wild, he is hostage to the elements, equipment failure, and the kindness of strangers.

Charlie has so far raised £935 of the £1,100 target on his Just Giving page, which is still accepting donations at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dare2expressdonationscharliehead