Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On 1 September 2007, just 6 weeks after Cynthia and I were married,  I was both lucky and unlucky. I was walking down a mountain in Northern Ireland with my son, on a gentle path and I tripped. I fell onto a steep embankment and couldn't stop myself sliding. After a short distance I went over a ledge and then fell vertically for approx 45 feet (15 metres) landing on my head, on rocks in a disused quarry. The lucky bit is that I didn't die. The unlucky bit was that I made a bit of  mess of my head and was diagnosed with a brain trauma resulting in loss of memory and executive function. Although I still have a pretty rubbish memory, in reality, as far as I'm aware I've made a full recovery.  However brain injuries can affect anyone at any time, with really devastating effects for both those injured and their families.

I've therefore decided to support Headway, the brain injury charity because they're an established organisation with an excellent reputation for doing amazing practical work to support individuals who've been affected and their families.
 
I've chosen to do a 60 mile walk because  I couldn't see any point in doing something that didn't really push me to the limit - and because I'm hugely grateful to have made it to 60 in relatively good health! The furthest I've walked in one go before, was 44 miles and that was about 44 years ago! I'm going to walk along the Thames towards London, starting near Reading on the night of Friday 16th January 2015.  Please sponsor me, or if you feel really brave, walk with me.  You don't have to do the whole walk, but can start on Saturday and do the last 20 or so miles if you prefer - or even less! See below for possible joining points.

My itinerary:
Friday 16 January
Depart Sonning (near Reading) 8:00 pm - 60 miles to go
Henley 10:00-10:30 pm - 54 miles to go

Saturday 17 January
Marlow 1:20 am - 46 miles to go
Maidenhead 3:50 am - 38 miles to go
Windsor 6:30 am - 31 miles to go
Staines (Thames Hotel) 10:00-10:30 am - 22.5 miles to go
Shepperton Ferry 12:30 pm - 17 miles to go
Teddington 5:00 pm - 6 miles to go
Richmond 6:30 pm - 3.5 miles to go
Kew Bridge 7:45 pm - 0.5 miles to go
Strand on the Green (Chiswick) 8:00 pm - FINISH!!

There is a direct train from Kew Bridge at the finish to Staines, and easy bus/train links from Kew to Richmond.

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