A County Durham man spurred on from the unrest of war took on a symbolic walk to London earlier this month in an effort to spread the mission of peace.
Adrian Smith, 56, from Weardale, embarked on a near 300-mile walk from Weardale to Whitehall, London this month draped in a flag pushing for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The grandfather, from St, John's Chapel, decided to spread the message after concluding that he "had to do something."
He said: "As a 56-year-old father and grandfather and watching what is happening in both the Middle East and Ukraine, I simply could not sit back and get on with my everyday life happily.
"I'm self-employed and after work, watching my toddler son playing innocently at home, I couldn't stop thinking about those innocent children in the Middle East who were dying and being imprisoned.
"I'm a thinker whose hobby is studying the great philosophers and through their words and explanations of mankind, I knew I had to go forth in some way to try and change the thinking of those in authority.
"I'm not a walker and I knew it would be difficult to walk among the people - and MPs who make the decisions- but making a stand is never easy, especially when you are challenging the narrative."
Now he has completed the impressive feat walking to the capital, Adrian has not ruled out further walks.
"I did think at first about walking to Gaza and I still may do but for now, I'm concentrating on walking to Whitehall in London. Man was never meant to fight his fellow man. One of the great thinkers said that man is above the animal kingdom because of his ability to reason.
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"Where is the reason in war? Plato said that war is not about who is right - but who is left. My ultimate desire is for world peace, John Lennon had the right idea.
"I am not seeking sponsorship or donations of any kind: all I would like is some moral support and understanding. To echo the words of John Lennon' just give peace a chance'.
"One day we will all realise that big hearts will bring more peace than big guns."
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