<p class="MsoNormal">In May and June I will be walking the Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. Actually, I&rsquo;ll just be walking the best bit, the Italian leg, starting in Monginevro, a distance of around 570 miles.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I&rsquo;m doing this to raise money for Sarcoma UK (see right) and in memory of Federica Long - my fianc&eacute;e, a much loved daughter and sister, and a great friend to so many. Fede developed a phyllodes tumour in 2009, a rare type of breast sarcoma, and died last June. The money will go towards Sarcoma research and helping those and their families who are affected by them.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fede was proud to be Italian and, amongst countless wonderful characteristics, loved walking, nature, being dragged round old churches (less so that one), eating well, and being outdoors, so I think she would have approved of this journey through Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany and Lazio. Staying mostly in monasteries and other pilgrim hostelries, I hope to arrive in Rome after about 45 days of walking; I know she would have liked to have done it too.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please give generously if you can.&nbsp;JustGiving will send your money directly to Sarcoma UK and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.&nbsp;Knowing that there is lots of money being raised for this great charity, in memory of a very special person, will be the best balm for my aching feet and make me less tempted to jump on a train the next morning&hellip;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>