The last year has been really difficult. The plans I had for my future were chewed up and spat back out, and I’ve had to learn to make peace with not being where I thought I’d be. What has kept me going is walking. As long as I’m putting one foot in front of the other, I’m moving forwards.

After my mum died, I poured all my grief and anger into a 100+ mile walk from Grimsby to Darlington, raising money for Breast Cancer Now. It helped me find a way through emotions that felt too big to hold. And once again, I’m feeling churned up with feelings I can’t quite harness — so I’m going to Walk It Off.

This time, I won’t be doing it alone. Alongside my wonderful brother, my beautiful cousin, and the quite simply fabulous Milo (nephew? cousin? cousphew? we’re still deciding), we’ll be walking and camping the full length of Hadrian’s Wall, come rain or shine.

This walk also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Darlington Association on Disability. My mum helped grow this phenomenal charity. Me and Ben were raised through it. I can even blame DAD for my career in education — my first experiences working with children were on their DASH playscheme. It shaped us, supported us, and gave us a community that still matters deeply.

So, in memory of my beautiful mum, to raise money for the incredible DASH playscheme, and to turn big emotions into miles of walking — we’re doing this.

If you’re able to donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can share the page, that means just as much. Every bit of support helps us honour Mum, celebrate DAD’s 40 years, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Let’s Walk It Off...