In April last year my mum, Pippa Stone, passed away. Out of the blue she’d had a seizure, which we learned later had been caused by an aggressive brain tumour, and she died just 18 days later. Mum had just turned 60, had retired a week before her diagnosis and she and dad had been planning to travel the world. It was a devastating shock for all who loved her. When we were told that she had weeks to live, her response was ‘it is what it is’, and her strength has carried me through the months since and inspired me to live with the same courage that she taught me. 

I want to do something positive in her memory so, myself and my partner, Lauren, are going to walk the Jurassic Coast to raise money for a charity close to both of our hearts: Cancer Research UK. To be able to raise vital funds for research and to support this incredible charity, which has been struggling through the pandemic, would be truly heartening to us. Lauren, who will be walking alongside and fundraising with me to reach our target, also sadly lost her father to a brain tumor. Together we are determined to try to make a difference. 

Our route for our challenge is from Exmouth in Devon to Swanage in Dorset, and we will don our walking boots from the 7th to the 13th of June 2021. Lauren and I are organising this sponsored trek on our own, just us, our backpacks and several packed lunches. The length of this walk is over 100 miles and with our goal to complete the walk in 7 days we will be covering as much as 25 miles a day, come rain or shine. This is guaranteed to be a shock in comparison to the 100 daily steps we are currently taking during lockdown … from the sofa to the fridge, and back again – but we’re determined to succeed.

We understand how tough a time this is to encourage charitable donations, but Cancer Research UK has experienced a huge drop in funding during this time and their work has been slowed by the impact of Covid-19. It would mean so much to us to be able to contribute to what this great organisation does. Any donation, big or small, or even a share of this page, will help. Please spread the word to help us go above and beyond our fundraising target!

And so, we want to stomp 100 miles, whatever the weather, each step sparing a thought for those who have been affected by this awful illness. 

Let’s raise as much as we possibly can and fight back against cancer. Make the blisters worth it! Your support would mean the world.

With love

Josie & Lauren

PS Can anyone offer any map reading advice?

Follow our journey on our social media:
YouTube channel - Josie & Lauren, Covers & Covering Ground
Instagram - @laurenjsoley / @josiekemp0