Yesterday a kind hearted
and generous young man melted my heart

Many of you know that my friend, Wendy, and I are training to undertake the Norfolk Macmillan Mighty Hike in May. The challenge
is a 26 mile walk over varying terrain.

We have been training for many weeks in anticipation of next month‘s challenge. Yesterday, after a hearty Easter luncheon on Sunday, we
embarked on our biggest challenge to date; armed with energy drinks and protein snacks we set off on the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail.

The Trail is purported to be a 16 mile “walk“ around the glorious Ashridge Estate. For those who know the area we started at the World
War 1 training trenches on Berkhamsted Common -> Northchurch Common -> Aldbury -> Bridgewater Monument -> Ivinghoe Beacon -> Ringshall -> Golden Valley (via @BridgewaterArms.Berkhamsted
– thank you for the water refills & refreshing lime cordials!) -> Frithsden Beeches via the vineyard (sadly no wine!) and back….. PHEW! Turns out the Trail is actually 21 miles!!!

The weather was incredible so we were honoured with outstanding views of the extensive countryside all the way over to Oxfordshire,
Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Part of the training walk was to trial run the clothes and boots that we intend to wear on the actual day. Donned with our VERY BRIGHT GREEN MacMillan T-shirts and caps we set off. Our clothes attracted a lot of interest and it was incredible to engage with those out on Easter walks and explain the reason for our attire. We were clearly memorable as our paths crossed on several occasions with others commenting that they had seen us elsewhere on the route.

But the absolute highlight was the last stretch of our journey; feeling tired with one mile to go we happened across a young man who was
weeding in his garden at the back of Gravel Path. With the biggest smile he enquired as to what we were doing, he was very supportive and wished us well, and we continued homeward bound. Five minutes later the same chap was running at speed towards us, on arrival and with continued smiles be blurted “I felt really bad… Please can you take this £2 and put it towards your charity” and then promptly ran back home.

Whoever you are thank you so much for your kindness – you are a generous chap and you made our day!

Unfortunately when we got home we received the sad news that Chris, one of the people that inspired us to undertake this challenge, had left this world Easter weekend. So our drive becomes ever more focussed. We send sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Thank you to all of you who have donated to date if you would like to donate please visit our Just Giving page here. 

Thanks for supporting my fundraising. At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We’re doing whatever it takes. But without your help we can’t support everyone who needs us. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs.