I DID IT....I DID IT ...I DID IT !!!!!!!

In 2006 my wife Pauline was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and over the last 3 years she has received fantastic treatment and aftercare at the Christie Hospital in Manchester. I wanted to give something back by raising funds for The Christie Hospital's Breast Cancer Oncology Research Programme. My target was £1000...

On Saturday 8th August 2009 I completed my solo 'COAST TO COAST' adventure - one day early !!

My venture began on Friday 24th July when I set off on the train for St.Bees in Cumbria to begin my epic 192 mile trek to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire. Even before I'd started, I had reached my £1000 target which naturally gave me a huge boost.

Those pre-walk donations came from all corners of the world and have included immediate family, close friends, acquaintances and colleagues from Manchester City Magistrates Court; St. Charles Church, Hadfield; Immaculate Conception Church, Broadbottom; Manchester Metropolitan University; Leicester University as well as pupils/parents/colleagues at the Norris Bank Primary School in Stockport.

Additionally, I received donations whilst on my walk including contributions from two hotel proprietors, two strangers and two fellow-walkers from Perth in Western Australia!!  All provided fresh impetus as I went along. Also, two friends joined me along the way - John Sharman and Peter Johnson;  John got soaking wet on the Grasmere to Patterdale stretch; Peter was luckier: he got unbroken sunshine from Reeth to Richmond! 

I made many friends along the way and all achieved without a single blister on my feet !! Finally, many thanks to those who put me up - and particularly Ron and Pat Taylor at Keld (the one near Shap!), Father Damian Humphries at the monastery in Osmotherly and Mary McDermott on the Cleveland Hills stretch. 

On completing my walk, however, I had a further unexpected challenge to face. During the second week of my trek, news reached me that my dad had taken ill and was in hospital in Reading. Indeed, at one point it was thought I may have to break the walk. Dad had been diagnosed with cancer of the stomach in 2007 and, after a massive operation, recovered well. However, it appears there was a re-occurrence of the original cancer in recent months and, after a short illness, he died peacefully on Monday 17th August aged 83. Mum and I were at his bedside. His death has given me fresh impetus to add to the funds already raised.....

So PLEASE PLEASE continue to support me and, in the words of the Christie Hospital slogan, help work 'TOWARDS A FUTURE WITHOUT CANCER'... 

MY FINAL THANKS must go to my wife Pauline: she has been my rock before, during and after the walk - and I cannot thank her enough for her love and support .....

 

Dr Brian Holland