Bushey to Bournemouth 120 Mile Hike

Over 9 days from the 19th - 27th September John, Amy and Gareth will be walking 120 miles from Bushey to Bournemouth to raise money for the Hunt Family Fund which they set up alongside the Hertfordshire Community Foundation in December 2025 in memory of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt.

In July 2024, Carol, Louise and Hannah's lives were taken in the most horrific circumstances.

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In the utter devastation, heartbreak, grief and trauma, Carol's daughter and Hannah and Louise's big sister Amy, and Carol's husband and Louise and Hannah's dad, John, slowly began to feel a growing desire to build something that reflected the lives of their beautiful family, rather than the pain of their final moments.

That is why the Hunt Family Fund (https://www.huntfamilyfund.com/) was created. To try to contribute positively to the causes close to the family’s hearts whilst also assisting organisations tackling male violence against women that are primarily trying to prevent harm before it happens.

Each year John and Amy want to set themselves a challenge and this year they have decided to go big, walking 120 miles from Bushey to Bournemouth over the course of 9 days, averaging 13 miles each day.

Why Bournemouth?

Bournemouth holds a special place in the family’s heart. Many weekends were spent there over the years walking along Bournemouth beach with their family dog, Chester; fish & chips eaten from their favourite restaurant ‘Chez Fred’ and taking the Sandbanks ferry across to Studland. It was their home away from home.

Why Walking?

For months after July 2024 it felt like there was very little purpose left in life, all control had seemingly been taken away. However, very slowly Amy & John realised that, whilst some things were out of their control there were some things they could control and one of those was exercise. Walking was their main choice of exercise, sometimes they went for 20 minutes and other times they could be gone for hours but one thing always rang true, Yet no matter how powerless they felt, how grief stricken they were before the walk, they always felt that little bit lighter after the walk and sometimes that is enough of an achievement for the day. Since then walking has become a central pillar of Amy & John’s routine as they learn to live alongside their grief. It is a way they can quietly reflect and connect with Carol, Hannah and Louise. Walking together they can talk about each other’s days, how both of them are feeling. It has become an important part of their ongoing therapy.

Therefore, when the Bushey to Bournemouth hike was mentioned they were completely on board. What a great way to raise money for vital causes whilst also challenging themselves completely and saying to themselves ‘We are stronger than we sometimes feel, we’ve gone through the worst days of our lives and got through the other side and if we’ve been able to navigate these last two years then we can do anything’.

How will your generosity help?

The Hunt Family Fund, set up with the help of the Hertfordshire Community Foundation and some absolutely amazing friends, wants to raise money for three central initiatives.

1. Tackling male violence against women.

We believe ending male violence against women starts with prevention. While the Hunt Family Fund will donate to causes dealing with the fallout of male violence and abuse, we want to primarily assist organisations that aim to prevent harm before it happens.

2. Donating to important causes close to the family’s hearts.

It is vital that the Hunt Family Fund donates to causes Louise, Carol, Hannah, John and Amy are passionate about as a family. As such, the fund will aim to provide support to animal welfare charities, organisations associated with vision loss, and those that support the elderly.

3. Bringing joy and empowerment to women’s lives.

The Hunt Family Fund will aim to boost the lives, confidence and careers of young women. We will also give to causes that bring joy to local Hertfordshire communities, no matter how big or small, to represent the joy Hannah, Louise and Carol brought to so many.

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