In May and Sept of this year, I’ll be taking on the final two challenges of my “pilgrimage triangle”;

Walking Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk over 14 days in May including a Scafell Pike Challenge on day 3, England’s highest peak.

Then on to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September.

This is to mark the loss of Linda, my soulmate, partner, wife and best friend of over 21years on 16th Oct 2023 to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

PSP is a rare, terminal neurodegenerative disease, has no cure and gradually robs individuals of their balance, mobility, speech and swallowing.

I cared for Linda increasingly over the last 5-6 years of her life, becoming her full-time carer from the start of the pandemic, witnessing first-hand the devastating impact of PSP.

My “Pilgrimage Triangle”, inspired by “The Salt Path” book, started by walking the South West Coast Path over 58 days from April to June in 2024; it was both a challenge and a time to reflect for me as it mirrored Linda’s incredible strength as she progressed through her own illness, surviving without any solid food for 58 days; the exact same time, before she lost her fight.

Since my return, I’ve wanted to further honour Linda’s memory and support others affected by PSP and CBD, and so despite suffering a long-term chronic back condition, I now push myself once more.

Wainwrights Coast-to-Coast Walk + Scafell will be a demanding yet beautiful 206-mile trek across England covering the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

In September, I’ll then take on the ultimate endurance test by climbing the highest mountain in Africa (5,895m), Mount Kilimanjaro.

The statistics speak for themselves;

I’ll have walked 875 miles (1400 km) and ascended a total of 168,102 feet (51,189m) - the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest nearly six times.

But, still through this journey of Remembrance, and resilience, I will have only touched the surface of what those living with CBD and PSP - and their families go through.

This is why I am raising funds for the PSPA Research Appeal which aims to improve diagnosis and offer more consistent care. This is ultimately the key to finding better treatments and a cure.

Every contribution will make a real impact in this fight, so if you can, please support my efforts by donating.

Thank you so much.

For more information see;

https://www.pspassociation.org.uk/research/understood/

Or email understood@pspassociation.org.uk