We did it!
In glorious sunshine on Saturday, 18th September, Sarah and I arrived in Kirk Yetholm, completing the Pennine Way in 20 days.
A very big thank you to all of you for your generous donations, your kind words and your encouragement throughout our walk.
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The idea of walking the Pennine Way first came up some time ago. I was asked how I would celebrate my 50th and whether I would be doing something interesting - like a balloon ride or a trip abroad. Yes, I will have a few drinks and go out for a meal with my family, but I wanted to do something different as well - ideally, something that would involve as many of my family and friends as possible.
As many of you already know, I tried to walk the Pennine Way once before, just after graduating from Liverpool. However, a combination of my rucksack falling apart in the mists on Black Moss and a severe lack of funds curtailed that adventure. But the lure of the Way prevailed and I returned a few times in the years that followed to do various stages as individual walks.
Now I want to complete the unfinished business from 1981. Together with my sister-in-law, Sarah, I will set off in September to tackle the 257 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.
I have asked family and friends to join us on the walk to do as little or as much as they can with us -whether it is for one or more stages of the Way, a few hours or simply to join me for a pint at the end of the day.
In addition to the personal satisfaction of achieving this goal I also want the event to help others. For that reason, I am asking family and friends to sponsor my walk.
My chosen charities are two particular favourites of mine - the Anaphylaxis Campaign and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
The RNIB need little introduction. The help they give to the blind and partially sighted is fantastic.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign provides tremendous support for those suffering from food allergies - a cause which has very personal significance since my son, Oliver, has a severe peanut allergy.
Please help me raise as much money as I can for these two worthy causes.
I have set up a page for each charity - http://www.justgiving.com/pdh4anaph and http://www.justgiving.com/pdh4rnib. Please pick the one you would like to donate to - or better still, visit both!
Thank you for your support - and I look forward to seeing you on the walk!
Paul
