On Saturday 7th June 2025, I woke up in the Intensive Care Unit and realised that I might actually make it.

A week earlier, I had been admitted to hospital with acute pancreatitis. Things then went rapidly downhill. I developed pneumonia and, ultimately suffered a burst ulcer, losing a significant amount of blood very quickly.

That Saturday was the turning point. Prayers were answered when a brave consultant stapled the ulcer the night before, and the incredible ICU team stabilised me and began to set me on the path to recovery.

During those dark days, I had just one book with me: Tina, the Dog Who Changed the World by Niall Harbison. It tells the story of how one broken but incredibly brave dog started an international movement, reminding us that however small, broken or lost we may feel, we can always start again.

One of the ICU staff suggested that perhaps the book struck a chord with me because I was having to start again myself.

She was right.

Driven by the love and hope that this book embodies, together with the extraordinary care and compassion of the ICU/RACI teams, the love of my family, and the time and space SAP gave me to recover, I started again.

Seventeen days after being admitted, I left hospital in a wheelchair.

Now, 14 months later, I am planning to walk the St James’ Way side by side with Cathy — from Reading to Southampton, following the British section of the Camino de Santiago.

That’s 66 miles.

It feels a long way from that wheelchair.

We would love to use this walk to say a huge thank you to the ICU/RACI team who helped give me another chance, and to Niall Harbison and Tina, whose story gave me something to hold on to when I needed it most.

So, we are raising funds for charities connected with both causes.

If you are able to sponsor Cathy and me, we would be incredibly grateful. Every donation, however big or small, will help us say thank you to the people and the story that helped me start again.

Thank you. ❤️🙏