šŸš¶ā€ā™‚ļø Walking 256 miles for a very important cause, The Alzheimer’s Society

Craig Gahagan is raising money for Alzheimer's Society

Team: Fundraising for Alzheimer's Society & Stanley Beau Foundation

In memory of Hilary

The Big Walk (256 miles) Ā· 25 August 2025

At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future by campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be and funding groundbreaking research.

Story

On August the 25th, I’ll be setting off on an epic 256.6-mile (412.9 km) trek from Minehead to Land’s End, following the stunning South West Coast Path through Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.

Over 10 days, I’ll be walking the equivalent of a marathon a day, climbing a total of around15,000 metres in elevation—almost twice the height of Everest. And no, it’s definitely not flat!

Why this challenge?

I chose this for two reasons:

1ļøāƒ£ A deep love for the coast path.

This trail holds a special place in my heart—some of my happiest memories are walking stretches of it with family. I find the changing coast line captivating and the wild rugged landscapes enchanting. Reading The Salt Path only deepened that connection. This journey is a chance to experience the coastline in in a longer sustained stretch, wild camping along the way.

2ļøāƒ£ It’s going to be seriously tough.

With little (ok, no) formal training, this will be a true physical and mental challenge. There will likely be over 100 hours of walking needed to complete it. There will be pain, blisters, and plenty of self-doubt. But I hope that by pushing myself to the edge, I can inspire you to dig deep and support a truly worthwhile cause.

Why I’m fundraising

My mum and Kay’s nan have both suffered from this cruel disease. Watching someone you love slowly slip away has been one of the most painful experiences of my life. It’s a condition that not only robs the person living with it—but deeply affects the families around them, too.

If you were lucky enough to know my mum, you’ll know she was a truly selfless, compassionate, and inspiring person. She’s been a guiding light in my life—and seeing her decline to Alzheimer's has left a space no one else could fill.

I’m walking for her. She loved the outdoors, long walks, and the wild, beautiful coastline. This journey is for her—and for everyone still fighting this disease.

If this fundraising can help support vital research and bring us one step closer to a cure, then every step is worth it.

This one’s for you, Mum. x

Thank you for your support, your kindness, and your generosity. Let’s do something amazing together. šŸ’›

For those following along, I’ll be sharing updates throughout the journey so be sure to check back here once I get underway!

At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future.

Donation summary

Total
Ā£1,728.00
+ £333.25 Gift Aid
Online
Ā£1,728.00
Offline
Ā£0.00

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