My wife Keri Valentine and her Mum Diane Stuttard both tragically died of Motor Neurone Disease, Keri in December 2019 , and Diane in October 2016. 

This disease currently has no cure and the MNDA relies on funding for research and its support services. This organisation guides people through this complex disease which can effect people in many ways and at any age. Keri was 48 when she died, only 6 months after she first developed symptoms. Her Mum lived with Motor neurone Disease for 2 years. It is an extremely distressing illness to witness, and painful to experience, as while a persons body gradually starts shutting down its Motor functions, their conscious awareness often remains. 

Both Keri and Diane received amazing support from the MND association and key workers. There is amazing support available for people needing the right equipment and care and also advice on how to manage this illness, as it can effect people very differently. In Keri's case, she was offered an amazing piece of kit from the Respiratory clinic called a NIV ventilator which helped her to breathe in a more natural way. All these supporting pieces of medical equipment and the key workers support from the MNDA let Keri and Diane live through this illness with dignity, compassion and the best possible quality of life.

I  had to reschedule last September' Marathon due to contracting the virus 🦠 Covid. This effected my chest  and lungs quite badly. I got into the Brighton Marathon again this April but have decided to do it slightly differently in the form of a 9 hour plus day walk to cover 30 miles on Sunday 10th April the same day as the Brighton Marathon run.

This will be a beautiful homage to Keri and her Mum as I will be starting my walk early  from their resting place  high on the hill at Penwith woodland burial in West Cornwall , walking past standing stones , past an iron age fort to the fishing village of Newlyn . From here I will be Heading to Penzance, past St Michael's mount and to Prussia Cove .

 This beautiful  landscape Keri used to adore and be inspired to  paint its form. Many of the images she created at Humble Cottage Designs are these. We used to go to Prussia cove every year on our artist retreats to connect to our creative selves.

From here I will carry on to Porthleven then head towards the Lizard penninsula. My walk will end at  Kynance Cove later that evening. Kynance Cove was Keri's go to beauty spot for creative inspiration, to paint and take photographs from the most Westerly point of the Cornish coast . 

My walk will have covered around 30 miles, Half of this I am hoping to walk with our beautiful girl and familiar Yuki mae Dog, named 12 years ago by us. The Japanese meaning for Yuki is Blessing and Snow and she has been a blessing to me and Keri in our lives together and to me now offering a great deal of support and comfort. These last two years she has aided my recovery through grief, Love and Loss by simply letting me walk with her and having company  in the comfort of natures walks. Slowly, healing, breathing into and connecting soulfully with myself and helping me create and imagine , a new life.

  This walk is dedicated to the very Loved  Keri Valentine and her Mum Diane Stuttard who both Died of MND . Thankyou so much for your support up until now, I will be promoting and collecting E money and wearing a QR code and Mnd flag on route to promote this necessary Cause for the continued research  of MND.

 And lastly to celebrate the Affirmation that Keri and I lived to Embody and shared with all that surrounded us.

All you need is L O V E. love is all you Need

Pete Xxx