WE DONE IT!!!! I feel I need to bore you with all the
details as this has to be THE MOST CHALLENGING THING I HAVE EVER DONE, and I think I speak for all the team by saying that. Childbirth twice was nothing in comparison!

We got off to a slow start as although arriving at the car park at around 6.15am; due to an issue with the coaches we didn’t manage to get
on one until 7:20am so by the time we got to the start line we missed out 8am start and had to join the 8:30am start. Emma for once was not the culprit LOL! Our spirits were lifted by Surrey Dance Fitness Crew who warmed us up and were completely fab, was so lovely seeing Tina, Kate and the other fabulous ladies.

So the first 11k was quite enjoyable we were all fresh and raring to go and still very optimistic, Allan, Paul and Scott were quick on their
toes and power walked off where as the girls were pacing themselves. Our first stop off we only probably stayed for 10-15 minutes.

The second stint was 15k which felt like forever to complete and I think that’s when the first `WTF are we doing` moment crept in. On
reaching our next rest point we had then done 26k and this is were the people who done the half challenge finish. We were all kicking ourselves at this point, why the hell didn’t we do the half challenge! Blisters had formed and I am not talking about the little bubbles you get when your shoes rub a little or when you are wearing heels, these bad boys were something different, one had literally taken my whole little toe out and the nail was just bobbing along on top of it! It was so hard to motivate ourselves to leave this rest point as we were in serious pain and knew we were only just over halfway.

The third stint of 12k was tough but the fact we were heading to Denbies WINE Estate for some reason gave me a little motivation. It didn’t help that as soon as we started this stint, we had to negotiate a mahoooooosive hill! Nurofen was my best friend at this point. The next stop off was the best one because we were all delirious at this point. All lying on the grass fuelling up on picknmix and nurofen and all in fits of laughter at each other’s wounds. The fact Pauls feet were bleeding seemed to fuel our amusement and I had pretty much lost my little toe by then. Everyone was getting cramp which again we thought was hilarious suddenly someone would be flipping out on the floor thrashing around with cramp. As much as we were in so much pain, we set off
from there in high spirits thinking the last 12k had to be ok, it was the last stint, we could then head home.

Well we were all very much mistaken!!! We were all ok when we hit 40k I had filmed us all laughing, and we had a picture taken by the 40k
sign but that’s when things changed. After the 40k we hit Box Hill. Many of you would have walked up those steps at Boxhill before and would probably agree its abit of a struggle. Well after 40k of walking up and down hills with the added treat of absolutely battered and blistered feet we then had to take this on. We all started climbing these and that’s when Nicole hit the wall, she literally broke down crying. Now for me this was the hardest part of the walk. I absolutely felt the same and could have quite easily stopped. By this time is was dark, we were in the woods, it was slippery and the rain was hammering down. Everyone had
carried on as that’s would you have to do so just myself, Nicole and Laura had stopped mid steps and by this time Nicole was having a full-on panic attack. I have to say we met so many lovely people passing us and all were trying to help her. To deal with your own pain and trying to convince yourself to carry on is one thing but to see one of your children suffering like and trying to get them to carry on is horrendous! I kept saying shall we stop but she refused too so literally led us the rest of the way (she had the best torch) still crying. Both her and Laura are amazing for getting through this. They are only 17.

We hit the 50k sign and we were all so relieved and happy, we had made it or so we thought! Walking past the 50k mark we were thinking surely
we will see the finish line soon and hear everyone but no, we continued walking and are happiness was fading fast! Our 50K walk ended up being a 54k walk as you then have to walk to the finish line! I was swearing A LOT during that last 4k LOL!

But the end result is we did it! I am so proud of everyone. Today we are all officially broken, none of us can walk, my feet are a complete mess
but am so happy we all got through this challenge. We can’t thank you enough for your donations we are so grateful to all of you. We may have completed the challenge but we are going to continue trying to get more donations over the next 2 weeks to hit our target. We do still have cash donations to add to that we have raise so that will bump it up too.

I can safely say I am never doing this again. Perhaps Wing walking
next?

Sara and Team Proclaimers xxx

********************************************************************

Wayne took his own life in December 2006, he had been a troubled soul for a while but back then no one really talked about Mental Health and Suicide (or not that we knew of anyway) people seemed to suffer in silence. There is definitely more awareness now and its thanks to Charities like Mind in Kingston.

Here's what Nicole wants to say: When I was four my dad took his life and turned mine upside down. I spent 1523 days of my life with him which I would like to say were the best days but some of the memories aren’t quite clear. December 10th 2006 was the day my whole life changed, even though I didn’t quite realise it yet. My dad was not in a good place when he took his life and it breaks my heart to realise that no one was able to help him. The reasons for him doing what he did are unknown as he felt he couldn’t talk to anyone. My dad has missed so much of my life already and its hardly even started. He has missed 12 of my birthdays, missed me finishing primary and secondary school, wasn't around when I opened my GCSE results and most importantly he hasn't been around for my bad days when I feel sad and low. 

These are only a few of many activities and milestones I have already done and achieved. I still have a lot of life left in me to do and complete even more. For example getting my A-Levels (hopefully) , learning to drive, getting my first job, getting married and a lot more birthdays to celebrate. All with him in my heart but none with him standing by my side. The whole situation effected my family massively as we felt we were to blame even though we were not. He loved all of us unconditionally and his intentions were to not hurt us but he was in such a bad place that he felt as if there were not other options. My mum was one of the main people who was effected after witnessing the whole situation. She suffered with mental health issues herself. It has also affected my daily life. As a lot of people know I'm very shy until you get to know me and I'm a nutter. In social situations I can become very anxious and uncomfortable and don’t like being away from my family for too long. I miss him everyday and my only goal is to carry on making him proud. This is why this walk is very close to my heart.

On the 28th of September me and The Proclaimers team will be doing The North Downs 50 challenge in order to raise money for a charity called Mind in Kingston. None of us are trained professionals and we will most likely be in bed for days afterward but it is very important for all of us to complete it. Mind in Kingston works with individuals who have mental health problems and offers help and support to all especially those who are struggling. There are a total of 130 local minds which are located around England and Wales with professionals to directly help those who are struggling. One in four people will experience a mental health issue in their life time. Mental health issue can happen to anyone and could effect anyone in your family. The charity could possibly be helping someone very close to you or yourself in the future. 

Please, please, please donate any money you can so that we help people who don't know who to turn to and prevent families like mine having to live with the ongoing sadness. 

Thank you️

Nicole & The Proclaimers xxx

Please note that £720 from the amount raised will be used by Mind in Kingston to fund our entry fees.