Hi everyone
My name is Mike Smith
You might know me, I have lived in Frome for 46 years, having moved here when I was nearly 4, so that makes me nearly 50 .
I went to Selwood and Frome College, Worked in the Agricutral trade with a short spell of Lorry driving.
I spent over 20 years running and coaching young Athletes, The last 7 years have been spent teaching children to swim.
My wife Helen has worked at Lloyds Bank for 29 years and has been a member of Frome Operatic Society for 30 years .
Our Children , Lauren and William went to St Louis Catholic School and have done Dancing, Swimming, Guides/Scouts, Frome Town Youth Band.
We are also active parishioners at St Catharines Catholic Chuch Frome
Thanks must go to Helen, Lauren & William for supporting my mad scheme .
This is where my Journey along the Wessex Ridgeway begins .
Recentley I started thinking about becoming 50 in October 2011 and what it meant to me. My Thoughts went straight to My Dad Billy Smith and Helens dad Colin Rutt , who both sadley passed away in their early 50's. I personally think I will live into my 100's so I was not worried. What I felt was, " what challange could I do? ". Again my mind raced away. In my yonger days I had run the London Marathon 3 times. I knew that if I could not train hard enough, I would not enjoy doing another marathon. I then thought about what I enjoy doing now and walking came to mind.
I started to search for long distance paths and came across an Ancient path way from Lyme Regis across country to the East coast. The full route was a trading route and followed a Ridge across the country and is known as "The Great Ridgeway" some 240 miles, (too far for me). I was looking for around about 100 miles and on more investigating, I worked out the west end of the Ridge way is called the Wessex Ridgeway and the 100 mile point was just past Westbury Wiltshire.
So the that's my Challenge sorted, Walk 100 miles in 5 days (my legs ache thinking about it). OH NO I need to sort so much out .
My Next train of thought was if I am doing a long walk then should I raise money for charity. Who should I support, thinking about my dad again and chatting to some friends I felt that Positive Action on Cancer (PAC) was something My Dad, Mum, Sister, Brother and myself could have helped us all. After a meeting with Mary Taylor of PAC I was convienced I had chosen a worthwhile Charity.
Please also support my other charity. Both are very worthy Charities.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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.
Updates
I am looking for places to sleep along the way, my tent and sleeping bag are too heavy to carry.
Day One Hindon - thanks to Heather and Richard for the offer of Hospitality.
Day Two Iwerne Minster or Tarrant Gunville Thanks to Malcom &
Day Three Alton Pancras , Thanks to Tony Monds for the offer of Hospitality
Day Four Beaminster Thanks to Patrica & Duncan for the offer of Hospitality
