Thank you to everyone who sponsored me, is still thinking about sponsoring me and/or who sent encouraging texts, tweets and Facebook comments on the day. It all helped.

My official time for the 50km was 8 hours 40 minutes, much faster than I thought, especially as that includes stopping for lunch. I also found out that I was 113 out of 900 doing the 50k, and as that included people who actually ran it (mad), I'm feeling pretty darned smug about that.

I'd highly recommend anyone doing it. There's lots of support, lots of snacks and really interesing scenery as you walk out of London. One day I may even tackle the 100k!

Thanks also to   Speakeasy Truffles  and  Bespoke Biscuits. Their goodies will be wining ther way to the people who guessed closest to my finishing time.

And this was why I did it in the first place:

THIS SATURDAY I'll be walking 50km from Putney to Runnymede as part of the Thames Path Challenge. I have no idea how long it will take, how tough it will be, or how many blisters I'll get in the process. The organisers say I'm welcome to run it if I prefer – I can safely say I will not be taking them up on this kind offer.

Having, over the years, lost several dear people – including my father, John Cargill Thompson, and my mother's partner Neil Dallas Brown – to cancer, but also being fortunate enough to know other people who have been through it and have come out the other side, I know how important the work of charities such as Macmillan is. What they do genuinely does make a difference.

I am dedicating this fundraising walk to a dear friend and former Time Out colleague, Chris Hemblade, who died earlier this year, much, much too young, from cancer. As well as being the glossy magazines' go-to celebrity fixer, in a cruel twist of fate Chris also worked for Macmillan and helped raise the money for the UCLH Macmillan Cancer Care Centre that would eventyally care for him.

Chris was a larger-than-life character, bursting with energy, a terrible gossip, a snappy dresser, an inspiring and supportive colleague, outrageous, mischievous, kind, warm and generous. The twinkle in his eye and sound of his infectious cackle will live on forever. He was incredibly supportive to me when my father died, even though I'd only just met him then, and for that and a whole lot more, I owe him.

I was privileged enough before Chris died to be invited to help celebrate his wedding to his long-time partner Duncan, another amazing man. As one of the other guests remarked, 'There was a lot of love in that room.' 

So as I stomp my way westwards and head along the river out of London and into the sunset, I'll be thinking of Chris, and my dad, and Neil, and more, as well as several friends who have lost loved ones recently.

It will be the 13th anniversary of my father's death, and he is always in my thoughts, but I have dedicated this fundraising page to Chris's memory because it feels right, and because one thing he made me do when we worked together was to push myself harder and not give up without a fight. Plus the sound of that cackle will keep me smiling for (most of) the 50km. And if all else fails, I have Duncan's blessing to take a cab.

If you can sponsor me, even a tiny amount, then I, and Macmillan, would be very grateful.

Many thanks,

Jessica

 PS

You can find out more about the important work Macmillan does here.

Or learn about/sign up for the Thames Path Challenge here.

A note about JustGiving:

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.