Skip to main content

Why?

My mother died on 2nd July 2024, after a prolonged struggle with advanced dementia, in a world she found confusing and frustrating. It would have been her idea of a living hell.


Alzheimer’s Society is working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives, by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future.

I walked the Dales Highway when she died seeking solace and peace camping in the hills. The idea of backpacking Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) had been long in gestation but this is what clinched it for me.

1200 miles over 100 days following some of the trails I’ve walked before - the Pennine Way and part of the South West Coastal Path, and camping most of the way. As I raised £20k during these 2 walks in 2020 and 2022, I have decided to aim towards that target once more.


I hope you will feel moved to follow and support me on this 100 day trek, as I walk in memory of my mother whose plight brought home to me just how cruel dementia can be to both the sufferers, and those around them. I will be starting mid-March and hope to finish around mid-summer's Day. 

Thank you in anticipation of your kindness and generosity

Donate here

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I’ve done it!

 After 101 phenomenal days of walking and an unbelievable 1346.7 miles, I finally arrived at John O’Groats this afternoon. I am so pleased and so relieved. As you might imagine, the family and I are spending the evening celebrating, and I’ve been banned from writing my blog tonight! So a blog post will be coming out tomorrow with more detail on the eventful Day 101, but for now if you will forgive me, I shall kick off my boots, relax and enjoy a glass of prosecco!

Day 101: Keiss to John O’Groats - The Final Day (14.6 miles)

Being the last day, it felt important to wear my old beastly friend of the trek - the large rucksack. I was actually surprised how comfortable - and comforting it was! Maria and I set off with Martin at 9:30, letting some heavy rain go through first. We would have to watch ourselves on the cliffs as the forecast was for 45 miles per hour gusts from the west. Within minutes we could see Keiss castle before us but for Maria, I think seeing seals bobbing up in the water was more interesting, not least because Georgie was desperate to see them too. Martin turned back and we told him to let Georgie know. The path was overgrown with wet vegetation, and it wasn’t long before Maria reported that the inside of her boots were starting to get wet. It wouldn’t take too long before mine followed (by 10:20!): with rotting stitching it was the reason I had originally decided to swop over to my new boots all those days ago down in St Ives, Cornwall. Oystercatchers were clearly alarmed by our proximity...

Day 98: Lybster to Whaligoe Steps (9.3 miles)

Having checked out of our Lairg base, we arrived back at Lybster and set out at 11am. I’d slept restlessly during the night tracking Georgie, Maria and Jordan’s progress up from Surrey. I couldn’t wait to see them! The path took us out of the village and down steep steps into the first geo. Making our way out of the geo the view back south across to Dunbeath Castle and mountains in the far distance was beautiful. The path was lumpy and overgrown for awhile, which Martin didn’t enjoy, but we were relieved to arrive at a section where the vegetation had been cut. Smooth going for a while, we arrived at The Bridge overlooking a stunning group of stacks and arches, and here Martin decided to turn back. He was to meet the incoming party at 15:00 at Whaligoe Steps and didn’t want to be late. As it was only 12:15, I chose to continue and was delighted to find waterfalls at the head of the geo. I chose to cross low down rather than over the footbridge to enjoy the view up the waterfalls. Fulma...