09/10/2008 - Update. Kerry has just received confirmation from Aviva that they are willing to match our sponsorship (max £500). A cheque payable to Leukaemia Research is on it's way to us. Fantastic news. I've also just had a session with my physio who was impressed that my leg held up (I told the truth) and I need no more sessions. Great news. Lots of stretches and ice packs over the winter months should see it back to normal next year.

06/10/2008 - We did it!!! Great North Run was excellent. We both did times we were really pleased with. Kerry ran the 13.1 miles in 2hrs 9 mins & 47 seconds. I did it in 2hrs 19 mins & 26 seconds (I'm really hoping my physio doesn't read this as my brief suggested a slow walk would be ok. That would have been 3hrs 30 mins. I'm starting to pay for it today and tomorrow will be worse. Nothing compared to the suffering those we were raising the money for though and thats why we ran).

The day was amazing, hopefully you caught some of it on BBC. If not it's worth a watch on iPlayer. My highlight was a lone bloke dressed as Elvis singing Elvis songs under a bus stop. Kerry's was a group of 8 year old lads on top of a bus stop calling out her name (which was written on her top) and giggling with embarrassment when she waved back.

We seriously can't thank everyone enough for all your support and sponsorship. What with Kerrys ankles on the walk, to my shins after the walk. Hard to believe that yesterday was my 1st run of the year and Kerry's 1st run over 9 miles. Kerry aimed for 2hrs 30 and did it loads quicker which was amazing. My game plan was to run until my legs packed in. Fortunately that didn't happen. Thanks to Gill Smith for her advice on the best pain killers. Thanks to Simon Jones for his advice on how to strap up your lower leg to support shin splits. I found the bandage Simon described to me and it was amazing (and stuck fast to my leg when I had to rip it off!!!).

We'll finish this years fund raising by once more saying a massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored us and all the support thats made it a really special year that we'll remember forever.

PS. If you see us hobbling round in the next few days don't laugh too much. A kind sole at Norwich Union today suggested Kerry was walking like she had s**t herself!

26/09/2008 - Great North Run is only 9 days away. Oh my god! Our 1st ever half marathon. Training has been mixed depending on who you talk to. Mine has gone ok. I've maxed out at managing a 9 mile run and lots of shorter ones figuring the adrenaline on the day will see me through. Chris hasn't been so fortunate and has suffered with shin splints since finishing the walk. He's had a negative x-ray so we don't think there are any stress fractures and he's having ongoing ultrasound with lots of stretches to try to fix the problem. He's determined to go on to raise the money. He's sure he'll enjoy his first run of the year whatever the outcome. There'll be great coverage of the GNR on BBC1 from 9.30am on Sunday 5th Oct.

Kerry xx

09/09/2008 - Pics of the walk and the chill time we had after all posted to webshots at http://community.webshots.com/user/chrisj_varley

01/09/2008. We've finished!!! 203 miles clocked (according to our gps). 192 miles officially. Now sat with that well earned beer.

We've sort of recovered a bit since the last update which was posted after 3 long days during which we covered over 60 miles. The North Yorkshire Moors were beautiful. The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge is remote and can be recommended to anyone. The next day through to Grosmont was nice. Grosmont's a quaint little place. Further on Falling Foss waterfall was lovely, especially after last nights downpour!!

On arrival we kept up the tradition of walking straight into the sea and dumping the pebbles we picked up at St Bees. Robin Hoods Bay is as gorgeous as ever. Thanks to all for the sponsorship to date. Next stop Great North Run. Ttfn xx

29/08/08. Well, it's 4pm on Friday and we are in the pub. The Blue Bell Inn at Ingelby Cross. We were doing ok on our biggest day so far (21 miles today) until we needed to cross the A19 on foot (not really we are knackered). It's funny to think that that most dangerous thing about a 192 mile walk is crossing the A19 on foot. All the guide books agree. We legged it across the dual carriageway and found the pub safely. Phew!

Today was a link day. We left the Dales behind and arrived at the foot of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The bar man made our day by telling us tomorrow we see the sea!!!! Looking forward to the moors tomorrow. We are heading for the Lion Inn at Blakey. A pub with a reputation as one of the best in Yorkshire to live up to. 22 miles from here so it'd better be good. Ttfn fx

28/08/08. 120 miles done. 72 to go woohoo! The weather seems to have got better too.

On Tuesday we did Kirkby Stephen to Keld. Across the Pennines or backbone of Britain as the book describes it. By far the hardest day so far and the shortest distance travelled. We didn't find a path for 3 miles from Nine Standards Rigg at 2250ft and I was up to my waist in a bog at one bit. We were pleased to eventually see Keld. Our guidebook said the views from Nine Standards Rigg were the most comprehensive the walk offers. I could just about see Kerry!! Thick fog and driving rain.

On Wednesday we went from Keld to Reeth down by the Swale through Swaledale. Great walk despite more rain. We arrived in Reeth early for the Reeth Show and lunch with Phil, Karen, Joan, and the children, and then went off to the show.

Today we've walked from Reeth to Brompton In Swale through Richmond. A great walk with much better weather. We almost had to put our coats on but held out and survived as the rain blew over. Richmond was good. We planned time to see the town. We had a nice lunch in Trotters then took in the Castle and it's grounds before taking in another teashop and then the last leg through to Brompton. Onwards and upwards tomorrow as we cross the lowest land en route to Robin Hoods Bay heading for Ingleby Cross. Ttfn xx

25/08/08. 90 miles done! We'll pass the half way stage tomorrow. We almost ran in to Kirkby Stephen around 1pm today after a 13 mile walk from Orton. We started fairly high and stayed high reaching 1100ft at various times. We were fortunate in that the driving rain and strong winds were hitting the backs of our heads as opposed to the front. Awful walking weather. We felt sorry for the cyclists we said goodbye to this morning as they were heading west straight into the wind.

Good news on the Kerrys feet front. The new boots and blister plasters are working. We also realised today just how useful the camelback water carrying rucksacks are as we fill them each morning and haven't once had to think about keeping our supply of water up so thanks to Kerrys ma for the 2 you bought us for Xmas. Ttfn xx

23/08/08. Arrived in Bampton safely today after completing the highest climb of the walk rising to 2600 ft over Kidsty Pike. Staying in the converted barn loft of the Bampton Village Stores. Great little place.

Tomorrow we head across the M6 towards the Dales with a planned stop in Orton. Had a slight challenge this morning in that the first three days have seen us strap and cover Kerrys heavily blistered ankles only to find they were getting worse by the day. Closer inspection of the boots revealed the backs had worn out and that sharp bits of plastic and stuff were showing through. An excellent couple at Catseye Cam Hiking Store in Glenridding fitted Kerry with a new pair of boots and they worked a treat today. Crap socks were the problem apparently as new old fashioned style wool socks wear the backs of boots away. Hopefully the blisters will now start to heal.

Thanks to Gill Jenkins for buying me the book on coast to coast that she spied me mulling over in Grasmere a few years ago. It was brilliant when I plotted the walk in my gps and is a great accompaniment each day as it gives descriptions of the twists and turns as well as a local history lesson. Thanks also to my ma for the Xmas pressie blister pack including false skin covers etc. They really have kept Kerry going the last couple of days. Ttfn xx

21/08/08 -  End of day 2. Two great days. 30 miles covered, 162 to go. Last night was quaint. We stayed in Ennerdale and saw people queuing for the phone box as there was no mobile signal, (how funny is that? You don't see that very often these days). Sign of the times again tonight. No mobile signal but we have got wi-fi!?!? Tonight we are at the Langstrath Country Inn or    www.thelangstrath.com/

Great food, great beers, back of beyond, we loved it. Our 1st real climb today was a challenge. A real scramble at the end literally hands and knees crawling. Once we were over the mountain we found a great little cafe at Honnister Slate Mine www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/  and from there we trudged through to Stonethwaite to our overnight stop.

Big day tomorrow. An early and steep climb over Green Up Edge (2000ft+) and then drop to Grasmere to visit my brothers stone before climbing again over Fairfield (2000ft+)  for a long decline to Patterdale before resting overnight in Glenridding.

I'd love to and promise to update this every day when we can get t'internet access. Maybe Kirkby Stephen in a few days time before I am lucky again.

Ttfn. C & K xx

17/08/08 - Most of the planning is done. On Tuesday morning we'll be heading to St Bees (Lake District) ready to start the 192 mile walk to Robin Hoods Bay on Wednesday. Would appreciate your sponsorship. We'll update when we can en route. C&K xx

10/08/08 - We successfully completed the 1st of our 3 challenges. The 60 mile Suffolk Coast ride went well. Really windy day which made it difficult though I am sure the weather will be far harsher when we do the coast to coast.

01/08/08 - Thanks for visiting our fundraising page. We are extremely grateful to anyone who has sponsored us in the past and hope you will continue to sponsor us in the future. We try to bulk all the events together to ensure we aren't a pain in the backside (we'll look after that bit after the cycle rides!) with an invite every month to all you people who kindly donate your cash to the different causes. The events this fund raising covers are: -

* 10th August - Suffolk Coast 60m Cycle Ride

* 20th August to 1st September - 192 mile Coast to Coast walk

* 5th October - Great North Run (half marathon 13 miles)

Our fundraising to date has always been cycle rides. Please don't think we find this easy we aren't ultra fit. I've still only been on my bike 4 times this year! We just turn up and slog it out. We decided to increase the size of the challenge by including a mammoth walk and run. Kerry's running training is going well. Mine - hmmmm! I struggle with my knees and have decided not to train before the coast to coast as I don't want to mess that one up. I'll concentrate on the running after and if I struggle I'll walk/run it in under 3 hours. Nice theory and much easier to just write down I'm sure!!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Leukaemia Research gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. It really is an excellent system though if you are worried about entering your card details online feel free to send us a cheque payable to Leukaemia Research.

Past fund raising update

This year to date we raised £335 for completing the Norwich 100 which for those that don't know is a 100 mile cycle ride with all proceeds going to British Heart Foundation (http://www.justgiving.com/kerryvarley1).

Last year for the same event I raised £800 (which I split). £500 went to Cancer Research and £300 (kindly matched by Norwich Union) went to British Heart Foundation (http://www.justgiving.com/chrisjvarley). Kerry raised over £600 for the same event using a paper form plus a number of organised charity events.

Back to this year

Please sponsor us now. We'll email regular updates to those that do and please feel free to tell us if you are doing anything and we'll happily donate to your chosen cause.

ttfn (ta ta for now)

Chris & Kerry xx