“I dedicate each step of this challenge as a tribute to Ryan’s remarkable spirit.”

They say that everyone has their own Everest to climb. I’ve spent the last 14 years climbing mine since losing my brother to Meningitis on March 31st, 2010. Ryan was fit and healthy yet lost his life within an hour of diagnosis - an hour that changed my life forever.

2024 would have been Ryan’s 30th year, and it feels only fitting to mark this milestone with not just one Everest climb, but four!

The challenge

I’m setting out to complete the entire South West Coast Path (SWCP) in just 30 days, starting 5th September 2024. That’s a total of 630 miles at approximately 21 miles a day, with an equivalent elevation to scaling Mt. Everest FOUR TIMES (yikes!).

Each step will be a tribute to Ryan's legacy - my ‘Steps of Tribute’.

The cause

My family and our incredible community have committed to raising funds and awareness for Meningitis. Our family-run registered charity, a Life for a Cure has raised £600,000 through various sporting and family-led events, aiming to prevent any more young lives being lost to this fatal disease.

Whilst I’ve been a part of many of these events from the side lines - now it’s my turn.

Your support and donations would mean the world to me as I take on my first solo challenge in Ryan's memory and aim to reach my target of £12,500 for a Life for a Cure.

My time off work, accommodation and equipment have been kindly sponsored by the incredible company I work for, Digital Radish, so every penny raised can go directly to the cause!

I have also been kindly sponsored by Clifton College, where both myself and Ryan went to school. It will be an honour to wear the logo again, as we both did together growing up.

Although this is a personal challenge, ‘Steps of Tribute’ is an opportunity to bring together our wonderful supporters - something we try to do with all our events. I am inviting our community of friends and family to join me throughout the 30 days, whether for a full weekend or just a much-needed fish and chips at the end of the day! See my full journey below and please get in touch if you want to join for a leg - anyone and everyone are welcome :)

The legacy

Ryan didn’t know he was creating a legacy; he simply made the most of the life he lived in the years he had. He was special. Whilst there aren’t enough steps in the world to quantify just how special, I dedicate each step of this challenge as a tribute to his remarkable spirit.

The combination of the legacy he left behind and the abundance of support has kept Ryan's memory alive 14 years on. I consider myself very lucky to still be able to talk about him, celebrate him, and walk in his honour.

Thank you

Thank you for reading this far; you can find more information about my challenge here, and any support you can give is greatly appreciated. I will keep you all updated on my training and will share my progress (and spectacular views!) as I make my way around the glorious South West Coast Path.

Love,

Charlotte (Shims!) xxXx

For anyone interested in the path or joining me for part of it, please find an overview of the path below. For more details about this wonderful part of the world, visit the South West Coast Path website.