See our up dates at bottom of this page
Andrew & Janette walk for Dreamflight
What are we doing?
We will be walking 184 miles (294km) of The Thames Path in just one week. On Wednesday 1 September 2010 we will be starting our 184 mile sponsored walk from the Thames Barrier in London and finishing 7 days later at the source of the River Thames in the Cotswolds.
Who are we walking for?
We are walking in aid of Dreamflight, which is a registered UK charity that changes young lives through taking seriously ill and disabled children, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida.
The costs are enormous - in excess of £700,000 per year, equating to over £3,000 per child. As Dreamflight has such minimal overheads, any financial support really does go directly to the children.
Why are we doing this?
We started fundraising for Dreamflight because we were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the event after volunteering last year for the night duty at the hotel before the children left for Orlando the next day. Seeing 192 children, and their escorts, helpers and supporters (all volunteers), having so much fun with their new friends they have made is a great sight to see.
Our target is £1680. This will pay for 12 children to swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove in Orlando, FloridaPlease help us to make this dream a reality for these wonderful, brave and deserving children by supporting us with our sponsored walk.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Dreamflight gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation, just remember to tick the Gift Aid box. All of the money goes directly to the children, who really do deserve this special, life changing break.
Thank you for your support.
Andrew Jackson and Janette Hughes
UP DATES
(14/9) A week on and feet, legs and every thing else are sort of back to normal, even Janette's feet. Slowing getting the money together to pass it onto Dreamflight in a couple of weeks.
Family and friends walked parts of route and so many others have supported Janette and Andrew along the way with phone messages and cards. A huge THANK YOU goes out to EVERY ONE who have supported us. It made us get through the long hard week of walking.
(8/9) After 184 miles and 7 and half days Andrew reached the Source of the Thames. He was so happy he kissed the stone and gave it a big hug! Andrew phoned Janette at 15:15 hrs to tell her that he was at the stone, Janette was in the train car park not far from the Source.
(5/9) After five days and over 120 miles Janette decided to pull out. Her feet are so sore from walking on belisters from day one. Janette may have stopped walking but Andrew is carrying on with Janette supporting him via the car and meeting up along the rest of the route.
(6/9) What a challenge the pass five days have been. We've walked about 120 miles from East London to Abingdon (oxfordshire). Just another 60 odd miles to walk.
The first three days we had to carry our bags (7.5kg), this made it much harder and with the sun beating down on us made it a lot worse.
(31/8) Tomorrow is the big day, the start of 8 days and 184 miles!!!!! We are all packed and ready for the off. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has given us so much support.
Day 1 is from The Thames Barrier to Putney
Day 2 is from Putney to Chertsey
Day 3 is from Chertsey to Marlow
Day 4 is from Marlow to Pangbourne
Day 5 is from Pangbourne to Abingdon
Day 6 is from Abingdon to Newbridge
Day 7 is from Newbridge to Cricklade
Day 8 is from Cricklade to The Source of the Thames
(25/8) Just one week to go and we are slowing packing and getting things all sorted for the off. We will be updating this page as the walk goes on. Practice walks are going really well.
When we started out on our first practice walk we were talking too much and we missed the sign to cross the lock at Abingdon. We carried on walking, on the wrong side of the river, for over an hour before we noticed what we had done. Just one First Aid task on the practice walks (one too many). Janette fell over a fence and ended up with a nose bleed and a very sore head.
