In October 2009, our friend and colleague, Gavin Williams, was diagnosed with a mediastinal germ cell tumour in the chest wall. After a short but intense programme of treatment, he passed away. He was 26 years old and is terribly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Before the cancer struck, Gavin was an extremely fit and healthy young man and during his treatment, he never complained and took everything with bravery, dignity and with the minimum of fuss.

This is the character of Gavin which his colleagues in the finance department at First Title remember and, in tribute, they have decided to walk from to with the aim of raising funds for cancer research. His family’s chosen charity for all donations is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research.

One member of the team, Mark Jones, has recently recovered from treatment for cancer so this disease, over the last two years, has had a profound impact on our small department.

The route is the last leg of the and is 31 kilometres (19 miles) long. The team is not an experienced group of walkers so this hike will certainly test us and we’re all in training to ensure that our expedition is successful. Gavin's family was a family who thought it could never happen to them, just to other people. We therefore hope that anything donated in response to our efforts will help towards another family avoiding the tragic circumstances of Gavin’s last few months. If we can stop just one other family losing a young life it will help.

Thank you.

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.

 

Event report

I am pleased to report that the team successfully completed its walk on 26th June. We set off from Canterbury Cathedral at 0738 and arrived at Dover market square at 1520: a distance of 20.3 miles in 7 hrs 42 mins. The team did exceptionally well especially as all but one of us is new to long-distance walking. It was an extremely hot day and we were pleased to see Peter D at one point on the route (looking cool as a cucumber, having just stepped out of his air-conditioned car) bearing cool liquid refreshment. It was particularly good also to see Gavin's parents, Jo and Simon, at the finish point where we fell into the nearest pub and raised a glass to Gavin.

Four days on:

Legs, knees and feet rather sore still.

Sarah has blisters on her feet the size of Belgium – Mark C says his are bigger but won’t show us.

Lorraine is never going to walk anywhere again and is not talking to the event organiser (dubbed ‘slave driver’).

Mark J is considering walking to work tomorrow (about 3 miles) but will probably take the car!

 

The response to our campaign has been overwhelming and although we haven’t yet made the target, the team has every confidence in reaching it. Many thanks to all who have already donated.

13th July 2010

We have made our target. Thank you everyone.

PS Mark J hasn't walked to work since the event since his left foot is hurting. Everyone else seems fighting fit again and are planning next year's event.