NEWSFLASH: WALK COMPLETED IN ATROCIOUS WEATHER WITH LOTS OF CHALLENGES, ALL SAFE AND HOME NOW!  STILL A FAIR WAY TO REACH MY TARGET SO PLEASE DIG DEEP!

ABOUT THE WALK

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.  This walk is no bimble in the park, it's a 2 week walk across England, starting on the West Coast at St Bee's Head, crossing through some of the most spectacular scenery in the United Kingdom, to finish on the East Coast at Robin Hood's Bay. 

The walk totals 190 miles/304km however this doesn't take into account the "Ruth got lost" wobble factor!!!!  It passes through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorks Moors.  Only two towns are visited along the way (and we'll probably just skim through them), with the majority being high level hill/mountain walking.

Although I've walked this when I was 13, this is going to be a majorly huge challenge for me both physically and emotionally. 

I will be joined on the walk by my dad, who is fundraising for a school that his school is linked with in Kenya - they don't have a Justgiving Charity set up so you'll have to sponsor him offline!

I've decided to use this opportunity to raise money for charities, not only does this give some drive and determination, but also the money goes to good causes!

ABOUT THE CHARITY

I've chosen to support a little known charity that is very important to me - The Fishermen's Mission.  My grandfather, Frederik "Chubby" Read, was killed when my mother was only 4 years old.  He was a fisherman working out of Haverfordwest and then when the fishing industry went into decline, the family moved to Lowestoft, where they settled.

Chubby was killed in a very tragic accident at sea, leaving behind four children and a wife, with virtually no income and a huge void in their lives.   Things like this happen with devastating regularity in the fishing community, the men we rely on to bring us the food we often take for granted day in, day out.  Last year alone there were over 250 funerals in the fishing community carried out by The Fishermen's Mission.

Without the services of charities such as the Fishermen's Mission, families such as my mothers' would have nobody to turn to in times of hardship and bereavement, fishermen would have nobody to help them in their old age when they are no longer able to go to sea, or are in hospital.  The services they offer range from financial, emotional and pastoral support to fishermen and their families, visiting fisherfolk in hospital, providing emergency aid to fishermen who have become shipwrecked or stranded, emergency accommodation .... the list goes on and on.

Every year, an average of 28 boats are lost, and 100 men killed or seriously injured.  Just think about that for a minute .... 100 families ... 100 children potentially without their daddy .... 100 fishing families needing support, friendship, assistance in dealing with the often devastating effects that death and injuries can cause.

Having spent some time researching the life of my grandfather and visited the Fishermen's Mission in Lowestoft, I became fascinated by the work of this organisation, and as such have committed to spending the whole of 2008/2009 fundraising to meet the target of £2500 for the walk I am planning to complete in the summer of 2009.

MORE INFORMATION

Please check out the charity's website at http://www.fishermensmission.org.uk if you would like to find out more information, or drop me an email if you would like to find out more, or join me on my venture!!  I now have a website up and running at http://www.c2cwalk2009.co.uk :)

IF YOU ARE A UK TAX PAYER, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TICK THE GIFT AID BOX - IT WON'T COST YOU A PENNY MORE, BUT THE CHARITY GET MONEY THAT THE TAX MAN WOULD OTHERWISE RECEIVE!  WE ALL KNOW WHO NEEDS THE MONEY MORE!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Royal National Mission To Deep Sea Fishermen gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!