Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Walking 314 miles around the coast of Cornwall
– Why I undertook and COMPLETED this walk:
THE REASON: In June 2004 I started having a few problems with my stomach which sounded like a very dodgy and badly maintained central heating system. At the end of March 2005 I was operated on and a cancerous growth was removed from my colon. I then had a follow up course of chemotherapy which, as it was done as part of a clinical trial, enabled me to have additional drugs that NICE don’t think are value for money.
THE RESULT: Over 5 years later I am still here and would appear to be in perfect health apart from slightly high blood pressure as a result of the chemo.
I was lucky I was diagnosed early. BUT I could have been diagnosed more than 9 months earlier if I had been more aware of the symptoms myself, and been able to point the health professionals in the right direction because some of them obviously don’t know their arse (or mine) from their elbows. One prostate specialist I was sent to see, (for a male at my age the problem is always assumed to be prostate related), on examining an x-ray of my stomach prescribed laxatives for constipation; it didn’t seem to occur to her that a blocked bowel could be caused by a growth not a lack of fibre in my diet.
Bowel Cancer is one of the most common cancers, and one of the keys to defeating it is early recognition and diagnosis, both by sufferers themselves and by the medical staff. I have lost friends and relatives to bowel cancer and have friends still fighting against it, most of you reading this will know or have known someone, other than me, who had or still have it.
THE CHARITY: I have decided to raise money to support Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign. This choice is because out of the three major bowel cancer charities Lynn’s has the lowest overheads and specialises in promoting the importance of early diagnosis.
THE TASK: For many years I have wanted to walk the entire coastline of Cornwall in one go. Now seemed to be a good time to try and achieve this, before I get too old, or another job, or just too lazy. My family have decided that they will give me permission to attempt this, but that if I do I must do it to raise money for a charity (it also does away with my get out clause if it starts to hurt too much after a couple of days walking of “I can stop I’m just doing it for fun”!).
THE ROUTE AND DATES: I intend to start from Mullion (my birthplace) on the Lizard Peninsula on 31 August 2010, after the bank holiday weekend, in a counter clockwise direction (towards Plymouth), and start down the north coast at the border just below Hartland Point and work my way back to Mullion.
THE REST: I intend to try to walk 6 days with the 7 a rest day, and have staged the journey loosely based on the South West Coast Path Association guide and hope to do about 15 miles a day. I will be supported by Jeanette with our campervan and we are trying to work out campsites where we can base ourselves for a few days at a time to cover the different sections. It should take about 4 weeks and 5 if I walk the Tamar Valley.
THE TOTAL - £5000: This box on the form needed filling in, but I have no idea if that is a realistic target or not, I just chose the 5 for the 5 years.
More money equals more chance of survival for someone.
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.
So please dig deep and donate now.
Cash Donations received :-
Collection at Imber Court Quiz Night £81.16
Anna Kavanagh £10
Mrs L Lee £20
Mr & Mrs Shepherd £5
J & C Harry £5
Reg Bracken £10
Mrs Thomas £3
Mrs A Biddick £10
Mrs Judy Minns £10
Mrs R Bray £5
Mrs D Trice £10
Mrs Atkinson £10
Mr M Richards £20
Mrs Thresher £5
Miss J Mundy £5
2 anon donations £6
Mrs LG Gerrard £25
Ms M Wood £5
Mrs D Bray £5
Mr & Mrs Kenny £25
Mrs N Scott £35
Ms B Brown £50
Mrs H Kelly £10
Mr & Mrs J Gerrard £30
Imber Court HLM collection £20.47
Mr & Mrs T Jones £20
Mr N Fairey £10
Mr O Healey £5
Mr & Mrs H O'Neil £10
Mr & Mrs K Day £10
Mrs ............ £20
Mr & Mrs W Mundy £10
Mr D Cooper £10
Mr & Mrs G Fellows £20
Mr P Hicks £50
Qpod club £30
Mr P Rule £10
Mr B Eaton £31.40
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I HAVE FINISHED THE WALK ON SCHEDULE - NOW BACK IN NEW MALDEN but that doesn't need to stop you from sponsoring me, the charity still need your money.
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My rough itinerary for the walk was :
Mullion 31st August
1 Sept - Coverack
2 Sept - Helford
3 Sept – St Mawes
4 Sept – Portloe
5 Sept – Mevagissey
6 and 7 Sept – Par Sands
Slightly ahead of schedule finished walk at Fowey last night instead of Par, rest day today. Based the camper in Looe for 2 days.
8 Sept – Polperro
9 Sept – Portwrinkle
10 Sept – Cremyll (Plymouth)
11th Sept -
North Cornwall coast at Welcombe (Cornish border)
12 Sept – Bude
13 Sept - Crackington Haven
14 and 15 Sept - Tintagel
Arrived at Tintagel today having walked over the highest part of the cliffs in Cornwall on the way from Crackington Haven. Rest day tomorrow then when I have completed the next stage I will be over half way.
16 Sept – Port Quin
17 Sept – Trevone
18 Sept – Mawgan Porth
19 Sept – Perranporth
20 Sept – Portreath
21 and 22 Sept – St Ives
Moved the camper to Penzance for the next stage - start at St Ives to Pendeen tomorrow - last stage was a bit of a nightmare as I got lost in the dunes on Hale Towans.
23 Sept – Pendeen Watch
24 Sept – Porthcurno
25 Sept – Marazion
26 Sept – Mullion.
Dates slightly wrong i got back to Mullion at 5.30pm on 24th Sept.
