AN 86-year-old former paratrooper turned charity walker has received the highest honour from the Royal British Legion, alongside another national award.

Jeffrey Long, from Bingley, West Yorkshire, raised more than £120,000 for The Royal British Legion last year when his sponsored walk went viral.

He was given a life membership to the Royal British Legion in recognition of this feat and all of his work for the military charity.

Mr Long was surprised with the honour by Terry Whittles, national chairman of the Royal British Legion, at an event held on Saturday, February 3.

Mr Long was also named winner of The Times/Sternberg Active Life Award. This accolade celebrates people aged over 70 and their work for good causes and their outstanding contributions to society.

He will receive the award at 11 Downing Street, the home of Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, next month.

The annual award was set up in 2008 by Sir Sigmund Sternberg, an Hungarian-British philanthropist, interfaith campaigner and businessman who died in 2016.

Mr Long said: “It is great to get these awards.

“I am planning to do another walk at some point, I’m not sure when though. My feet don’t like standing still.”

They are the latest honours for Mr Long after he became the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

In a personal letter to Mr Long, Theresa May said: “The story of your fundraising for The Royal British Legion has inspired millions of people online, and you should be incredibly proud of raising over £120,000 by walking 86 miles on your 86th birthday.

Mr Long finished the trek along the Thames path two weeks after his 86th birthday.

As well as raising funds for the Poppy Appeal, he also collected for Support our Para, a charity which supports his former regiment 12th Yorkshire Parachute Battalion.

Mr Long has an MBE for his charity work, which began more than 10 years ago with a 650-mile hike to Switzerland.

This was his third consecutive birthday walk, after he did 84 miles along Hadrian’s Wall for his 84th and 85 miles along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal for his 85th.

Mr Long’s fundraising campaign was given a boost after comedian Jason Manford posted a link to his JustGiving page.

The online attention saw his total going from £300 to £75,000 within 24 hours, eventually reaching more than £120,000.