Thank you for visiting my fundraising page   

I am walking the Cumbria Way in Aid of St Luke's (Kenton Grange) Hospice from the 1st-5th May 2008.  This will truly be a challenge to me as the full walk is 72 miles which I am hoping to be able to do.  I'm sure the views of the beautiful Lake District will keep me going!  Due to the distance and terrain, I have started training and walk at every possible opportunity as fitness is a key requirement.   As well as being a personal challenge, I hope to raise as much money for St Luke's Hospice as possible. 

Here is the link to the Cumbria Way website on the Hospice page http://www.stlukes-hospice.org/walkerswebsite/cumbriaway.htm

I will keep you updated with my progress and you can see what money has been raised. 

The annual operating costs of the hospice is estimated at £3million.  Less than 30% of this figure is received from statutory bodies, the rest needs to be found from voluntary contributions and proceeds from fundraising events such as this walk.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: St Luke's Hospice (Kenton Grange) will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please dig deep and sponsor me online now!

Many thanks for your support, it is much appreciated and will encourage me to get walking, get fit and raise loads of money for the hospice!

Thanks

Carole

To follow my route along the Cumbria Way click here www.ulverston.net/cumbrianway.asp

UPDATE

-  We walked around Harrocks and Merlins Wood (2miles).  This was enough for starters.

-  Then, we tackled just under 5 miles.  My ankle held up ok-ish.  We hope to add at least a mile a week and get in some walks on consecutive days too.

-  Well the consecutive days have started and last week we walked 6, 5 and 5 miles so now we just have to add a mile to these lengths and we are getting there, slow but sure.  We are trying not to let the hard skin and blisters slow us down but on occasions the pain isn't pleasant but at least it is a talking point to fellow walkers!!  Need to tackle some hills next!

I have been overwhelmed by everyones generosity which means I have reached my target so quickly so have raised it.  Thanks to you all, your support means a lot to me.

We conquered 9 miles yesterday and I'm feeling it today - blisters and aching limbs!!  We are proud of ourselves to have completed a 9 miler and it is giving us a bit of a reality check that this walk is going to be tough.

A damaged tendon in my ankle has forced me to have two weeks off training, strict instructions from my physio!!   This weekend (15/16 March) I hope to start with a short walk again and build up the miles gradually.  Fingers crossed all will be ok.

Well apart from sliding in thick mud and getting absolutely drenched my ankle held out for the first 6 miles and became painful for the last one.  I think it is on the mend but still I need to be careful.  Over Easter we are attempting 4 consecutive days of walking so this certainly will be a test for it!

I cannot start to describe our walk yesterday, it was 10 miles of mud, mud and more mud!!!  With our ankles strapped up we walked the Chess Valley in rain, snow, hailstones and sunshine.  There was more mud stuck to our boots than you can ever imagine so it was a great workout for our calf and thigh muscles .  Despite the weather and mud it was a great walk with lovely views but maybe more enjoyable in the summer!!

Well less than a week to go now until we find out how fit we really are!  Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me and I will give an update when I return.

Well I survived which describes how I felt along the walk!!!

Thanks to everyone who supported me - you are all great