On the 4th of July 2026, I will be joining the incredible Marie Curie team to take on an 11-mile trek across a section of Hadrian's Wall, a world-famous landmark built to guard the North West frontier of the Roman Empire. Skirting the Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall is about an hour from the city of Newcastle, home to a Marie Curie Hospice.

All the money raised will help Marie Curie provide vital care and support to people living with a terminal illness, and their families, at the toughest time.

£3 helps fund a meal for a patient in one of our hospices.

£26 helps help fund an hour of bereavement support by phone or webchat.

£207 helps fund nine hours of overnight nursing care in a patient's home.

End of life care and support for families living with a terminal illness was the furthest thing from my mind until last year. After what was initially thought to be a trapped nerve in his shoulder led to significant health deterioration, my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. The cancer had spread to his bones, and that trapped nerve turned out to be a tumour in his spine, crushing his spinal cord. Following spinal surgery, learning to walk again, on-going hormone injections, steroids, and 6 chemotherapy sessions his cancer is contained - for now.

What I didn't realise was how challenging the journey after treatment would be. Dealing with the feelings of being told you are terminal. Comprehending that it will shorten your life. What are you meant to do? How do you handle this or support someone going through this? How do you adjust to this new normal? The impact it has on people around you can be overwhelming. (Selfishly thinking of me here)

Thanks to Marie Curie there is help and support for individuals and their families living with a terminal diagnosis. Marie Curie aren't just there for end of life, but it's reassuring they are when that time comes.

I decided to do this trail as a way to give my hubby and myself a focus. I love getting outside and going for a walk, I find benefit from the mindfulness it gives me, however I have never walked this far before. My hubby is now my personal trainer, plotting lengthy training routes to get me ready. He's also using this opportunity to improve his walking, fitness and strength as part of his recovery process. He sends me out on the long walks, joining me for a few miles along the way.

Northumberland holds special memories for us. We have holidayed here for many years, and even visited Hadrian's Wall with our kids. It became an inside joke and a play on words since my hubby's name is Adrian!

So I want to beat the trail for myself, for my hubby, for everyone out there living with a terminal diagnosis, or living with someone who has been given a terminal diagnosis and especially for Marie Curie so they can continue their amazing work.

Please help me by sponsoring me on this journey. Thank you.