THE JOURNEY

On the 14th June, 2024. We heard the news regarding the unexpected, sudden, and untimely death of our beloved brother Chris Davies.

He's left behind a family that truly misses him. In the time since it's been an arduous journey for us to navigate our grief. For me, it also compounded years of heartbreak through the loss of family and friends. For this, I sought some help to navigate these emotions.

The past year has also seen the loss of my Brother-In-Law David and Uncle-In-Law Terry to Cancer. My Uncle Keith in West Wales. We even lost our beloved family dog, Poosh.

All to put it bluntly.. floored me.

Compounding this was the loss of our parents at a young age. It all added up over the years to the extent that I just had to stop, take a beat, and rethink my life last year.

THE SUPPORT

I was recommended to contact Marie Curie. I was admittedly reticent to do so, as I felt like a fraud requesting assistance from such a wonderful organisation, in my mind focused on alleviating the suffering of Cancer patients. I learned this is not entirely the case, with Marie Curie supporting anyone with long-term illnesses and their families. As a result, I have been supported by their counseling team for hourly sessions over 8 weeks. I cannot express enough how much support this has been. It's enabled my steps following a mindfulness journey and stoicism, buoyed by the love of my family and help from our GP.

I need to say here that I was in a very dark place, and reading into that, I hope you can appreciate how incredible the support has been, not only bringing my smile back, not just my old self, but a better self.

THE PLAN

With a clearer head and vision. I am at the point where I want to say THANK YOU to Marie Curie for their help, remember those who have gone, and at the same time. Get fit.

The questions were What, When, Where, How..

...because I certainly knew the Why.

The answer is.. Quentin Tarantino.

I will explain.

Chris and I had a shorthand. When we spoke on the phone, we often made each other chuckle with Tarantino quotes.

Well, to quote Samuel L Jackson in the classic film Pulp Fiction..

VINCENT: So if you're quitting the life, what'll you do?

JULES: That's what I've been sitting here contemplating. First, I'm gonna deliver this case to Marsellus. Then, basically, I'm gonna walk the earth.

VINCENT: What do you mean, walk the earth?

JULES: You know, like Caine in "KUNG FU." Just walk from town to town, meet people, get in adventures.

It's not quite the Earth, but on the 6th September 2025, I am taking on a 24-mile trail across the Gower Peninsula. Hiking across the iconic Rhossili Bay – home to vast, open beaches with beautiful dunes and surfers out catching waves. I hope to spot some of the local wildlife, including Atlantic grey seals, dolphins, and harbour porpoises! It's a short drive from the city of Swansea, and the South Wales trail isn't far from the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth.

THE GRATITUDE

I am training to Beat the Trails for Marie Curie and help people get the best care possible, to the end and for their families.

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

Through this link, the money goes directly to them for their marvellous work.

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

£26 helps fund an hour of bereavement support by phone or web chat - The support I have personally received totals by that metric £208.00

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

THE MISSION

To practice - I have been using The Conqueror app to track my training via Virtual Walks - The app tracks real steps and measures distance to a target set using the app.

In turn, I am delighted to say that I completed my first 100 miles of training on the 28th February. Appropriately, the app training was set to Wales Coastal Walk! I am continuing to use the app with different locations as I build up stamina for the 24-mile jaunt.

Subsequent to this, I have completed a virtual 48K Bangkok tour, 120K London walk, 48K Berlin Wall trail.. Right now, my training is to achieve 3670KM Route 66 journey. I know that the 24 miles will help a great deal towards that with the medal objective to be completed within 2 years.

I also need to thank my part-time personal trainer and full-time Corgi - Gwenny - for her moral and physical support and for acting as a sleigh dog to get me up hills.

I know times are hard. However, without the support of Marie Curie. I don't believe I would have been strong enough to write this, let alone think about a 24-mile hike.

Your generosity would be very VERY welcome! Diolch/Thank You!