1 Man, 2 Feet, 1250 (or 1450)  Miles...

NEWS JUST IN: Please see www.goingcheap.co.uk and help raise more money.

Philip Pelling
Aged 53 (Born 10/01/1955
Married 28 years with 2 daughters
Occupation – Various but still searching
p.pelling@protektit.com

The Little Big Walk and the Very Big Walk for the World Land Trust

On August 16th 2008 I plan to walk from England to a place called Sabinillas in the south of Spain - quite near Gibraltar. Dependent on my route this could be between 1250 and 1500 miles so will take as long as it takes. Perhaps 2.5 to 3 months.

(No wild Jaguars along my walk like the beauty in my picture although Spain is home to the Iberian Lynx – one of the world’s most endangered species. I guess that demonstrates that wherever we are we have a responsibility to our planet and here is your chance to help the great work being done by the World Land Trust - "Saving habitats and their wildlife".)

There is no specific target figure as yet but believe me I would love to raise bundles. And - to make it even more interesting I am also organising another smaller walk that you might like to join.

This will be the 'Little Big Walk' on Saturday August 16th 2008 - about 25 miles along the Pilgrim's Trail starting at Winchester Cathedral and stopping at Southwick near Portsmouth. It is a very pleasant ‘stroll’ across country.

(If you want to do a shortened version you might like to start at Bishop's Waltham - by the ruins of the old Palace.)

From there I intend to go to Portsmouth and get an overnight ferry to Saint Malo, have some kip and then onwards through France and Spain.

How can you help?

Well, I am trying to organise 25 teams of 4 (plus  drop off and pick up drivers) to do the 'Little Big Walk' with the idea that each walker raises at least £100 – that's only 20 people sponsoring a fiver. That could be £10,000 for starters but work hard and it could be much more. All those monies can be paid to the charity via website links like this one that can easily be set up on ‘Justgiving’.

If you would like to set up a team please contact me on p.pelling@protektit.com

I also need people and companies to sponsor me for  ‘The Very Big Walk’ – it really is for a good cause.
 
(A few people have suggested they might like to do a stretch of the 'Very Big Walk’ with me. That is an idea as long as they know that it  is entirely at their own risk and expense.)

Anyone got a Camper Van that they fancy using as a  support vehicle? I may not manage to organise this but obviously if I walk about 20+ miles per day accommodation is a probably an issue. The centre of Spain can be a tricky place so no backup camper could mean going on a longer route round the coast where there are more towns with the possibility of hostels etc. No camper also means more to carry.

STOP PRESS... Looks like the backup vehicle is out of the question unless there is a brave volunteer soon. Not to worry - a lightweight tent and sleeping bag are on order which I will carry in my rucksack. This is turning into a real expedition...

This may or may not be of interest to you but if anybody walked either ‘Big or Little’ it would be great. If tons of good folks sponsored the event for a few pounds it would be amazing – like I said the money is not for me. I am hoping that if I cut things back I will cover my personal costs myself or get business friends to help me out.

Corporate Sponsorship

If any business men or women out there fancy providing corporate sponsorship that would be simply marvellous... I would be happy to talk with anyone about ideas that might help me and World Land Trust. Contact me on p.pelling@protektit.com

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you.

Phil Pelling