Dear Generous People,
We have walked it and on a beautiful, if blustery, day.
May 22nd started unpromisingly with some rain which soaked everyone's feet, but this cleared by about 7am, leaving only a strong head wind and those 26.4 miles for us to battle. Some walkers showed impressive and moving bravery in the face of serious physical challenges and we send our admiration and awe to those women. You know who you are. Everyone, however, had their moments: moments when we felt unsure we could carry on and moments when we felt elated by the beauty of the scenery under blue, cloudless skies. The panoramic views of Oxfordshire's rolling countryside were breathtaking (luckily not literally) and those of us on the organising team were enormously relieved that the weather was broadly kind. Each water stop felt like a blessing. The encouragement and reassurance on offer was every bit as welcome as the H20 (and croissants in one notable case). At the finish line, most of us were so grateful for the tea, sandwiches and smiles, that it was hard not to let our emotions spill all over them. The atmosphere was hugely happy as the tired walkers were welcomed by their supporters and children ran about with kites enjoying what turned into a big picnic party. The main event is your generosity and thanks to that we have raised more than £23,500 and the donations are still coming in. We are completely overwhelmed and utterly delighted to be able to make substantial donations to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Seesaw, whose valuable work, day after day, year after year, is the real marathon and what we were all really walking with. Thank you, Ali, Sarah, Jo, Natalie, Katie, Larissa, Suzi and Cathy and all our fantastic walkers!!
