So back in 2020 when we were just at the start of the  Pandemic & I was banished to Work From Home, I got to enjoy some long, early morning walks with my two loyal buddies Peggie & Rolo - through the local countryside in the beautiful warmth & sunshine of those Spring, Summer & Autumn months -  before starting work. 

Having benefitted both physically & mentally from this daily activity, I thought it would be a great idea to put my new found fitness & enthusiasm to good use & that's when I came to hear of The Thames Bridge Trek.  Originally planned for Saturday12 September 2020 – a 25km walk setting out from Putney Bridge, towards the City of London, zig-zagging over an array of historic bridges to the final post 25km later - just past Tower Bridge.  

The fact that it was being held the very next day after my birthday spurred me on – Bonus! No big hangover for me!  Sign me up! I was “in training”, ready, willing & able …..

So was Covid it seems. It beat me to the start line & the event was deferred ☹

Enter 2021 &16 months later, here I am still WFH, still taking those early morning walks - much to the disgust of my two loyal walking buddies – who it seems, would prefer to be left to sleep the day away in the comfort of my lounge - rather than be dragged out come wind, rain or hail through the mud & muck of the local countryside at stupid o’clock each morning. 2021’s Summer has NOT been so kind as last year’s!!

Anyway, the Thames Bridge Trek date has now been reconfirmed
for Saturday 11 September ...

So, on my 55^th birthday I shall be dragging my old, less enthusiastic self across those Bridges – all in the name of Charidee.  Not how I would usually choose to spend my birthday - granted - but I guess, once you start something, you’ve gotta finish it! After all it’s all for a good cause …

That cause being the Wisdom Hospice – a small Hospice, local to the area in which I live, providing Palliative Care & Respite to local people. A charity that I hold very close to my heart, given the great care & kindness they showed to my lovely Dad in the final weeks of his life back in 2012 – & indeed to my Mum & myself too.  They, like many other charities, have suffered tremendously, struggling through, since the start of  the Pandemic but keeping their doors open & relying
on the kindness of their volunteers & fundraisers for the £2500 per day needed to continue their work to enable them to keep on providing that same support & empathy that was extended to us. 

https://fowh.org.uk/the-hospice/

So, I am taking on this challenge in the memory of my Dad, Lennie Bailey, to give something back to them on his & our behalf.

Thank you for taking the time to read my fundraising story.

Should you want to donate (any amount whatsoever) to this very
worthwhile cause – & at the same time keep me on the “straight & narrow” for the first time ever on my birthday – it would be greatly appreciated.