Persecuted Refugee Walks London to Portsmouth as 'Thank You' to Britain

Persecuted refugee Pedro Lopez began his sponsored walk on Friday from Westminster to Portsmouth and back to express his thanks to the people of Britain who welcomed him after fleeing from war-torn Central Africa 19 years ago. Pedro was born to a Cuban army officer and his Angolan wife who were living in Congo at the time.

The Salvation Army provided a temporary home for Pedro at its Edward Alsop Court Social Services Centre in Great Peter Street, Westminster and it is from there that Pedro will set out on his 300-mile round trip.

Pedro, 36, will be joined on his journey by his Portuguese friend, Americo Rodrigues. The two men met briefly whilst Pedro was being held in an Angolan army compound. They met again by chance in the UK and renewed their friendship.