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For my 50th birthday I’ve decided to walk the coast to coast trail, designed by Wainwright many years ago. This is a multi day walk through 3 national parks and covers approximately 195 miles (313km). I am walking it from East to West, instead of the traditional West to East and this is because I want to spend my 50th birthday, towards the end of the walk, in the Lake District (plus I always like to do things differently). I start my walk in Robin Hoods Bay and end in St Bees (dipping my toes in both seas).

To mark my half a century on this planet I would like to fundraise for a local charity that does much work to help survivors of trafficking and as such many women, who are often the victims of trafficking. This charity helps with counselling and aid to survivors to help them move forward with their lives, after much hardship.

I am mindful of the fact that my choice to do this walk for two weeks is a luxury that many people never have and something that is afforded me because of growing up in the UK in relative safety and having the means and physical health to walk this distance solely for leisure.

Walking has always given me deep joy and the close connection with the wild and the elements helps remind me of my fragility but also my strengths. It renews in me some optimism for the future by rooting me in the present and by just putting one foot in front of the other I can reach my goal.

Im trying to reach the £500 target as 10x my age. This amount can help a survivor of trafficking to set up a new home, what an amazing gift that would be.

8 years ago, I walked the Pennine way with my son, but completed it in 3 stages, so this walk will be my longest walk in one go. A long distance trail has been on my bucket list for a long time so here we go. wish me luck!

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