Kelly McGrath, Health & Safety Coordinator and Tracy Bartlett, Wellbeing Coordinator, both work at the Hub and are launching the initiative with a 45 mile sponsored walk around the Romney Marsh, taking in as many of the towns and villages as they can in three days.

Local residents, schools and community groups are being invited to join in by taking on their own walk during the months of October and November 2021. If 45 miles is too much, participants are encouraged to walk any variation on the 45 theme - distances of 4.5 miles, 4.5k, 45 steps and 45,000 steps are just some of the ideas suggested!

Kellys story:

In June 2020, aged just 34, I suffered a cardiac arrest not long after Tracy had a severe angina attack, brought on by COVID19. We have both been through the mill this past year and it has highlighted just how tough it has been for everyone. Training is underway and this walk is a great incentive for Tracy and me to get back to fitness and, most importantly, raise money for this incredible cause.

Tracys story:

The pandemic brought an end to my dreams of studying nursing, as the course that I had started in spring 2020 was immediately cancelled, with all trainees redeployed to support healthcare workers on the wards. After contracting COVID, I was off work for 20 weeks and ultimately unable to return to healthcare. However, I was determined not to let it beat me. When the wellbeing position came up at the Hub, I jumped at it and I now spend my time encouraging others to get fit and active and enjoy life. COVID has been so hard on the community and there are so many who, like me, have had their lives upended by this pandemic. I cant wait to get walking and raise awareness of the important work carried out by the Hub.

Tracy and Kelly will be covering the following areas during their walk:

New Romney Littlestone - Greatstone - Lydd-on-Sea - Dungeness Lydd - Old Romney - Ivychurch - Brenzett Brookland - St Mary in the Marsh - Newchurch - Burmarsh - Dymchurch - St Marys Bay