Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

It’s been over 12 months since we entered lockdown and it’s
been a very difficult time for many, especially those with mental health conditions and life debilitating illness such as MND and those that require Palliative/Hospice  care. On my birthday last
year, I sat on my bike and cycled 100 mile, to help others. This year I intend to raise awareness and funds again for three charities, and the intention is to walk along the canal from Lancaster to Coventry in 7 days a total of 192 miles at an average of 27 miles or just over a marathon a day.

We start at Lancaster on Saturday 29^th May walk down the Lancaster canal through Garstang, Bilsborrow, Catforth and stop at Ingol
for a well-earned rest.

 We set off and quickly join the Ribble link and head along the Rufford Branch canal before turning onto the Leeds-Liverpool canal towards Wigan turning off onto the Leigh Branch Junction. This then joins the Bridgewater canal where we head towards Worsley, Eccles
Stretford and passing through Salford.

The next day sees us skirting Manchester, via the Rochdale canal,
heading towards Dukinfield and heading off towards Hyde, Stockport and heading towards Marple.  Down along the Macclesfield
Canal towards Macclesfield and Congleton and turning towards Kidsgrove and the Harecastle tunnel some 2919 yards long. After navigating the alternative to the tunnel its down towards Stoke-on -Trent and the Trent and Mersey canal.  

Past Stone, Weston, Great Haywood we then head to Rugeley
before turning onto the Coventry canal at Fradley Junction for the last stretch.

A shortish walk towards Tamworth and a sneaky bend before Atherstone, Nuneaton, Marston junction and finishing at Bishop street basin in Coventry.

192 miles over 7 days, or 7 marathons (plus a mile).

As a student at University I was taught research which to be honest I didn't understand, until I met Keith Cooper, who was such a lovely caring and very clever man, he made learning so easy, such fun and
explained things so easily, he was the person who inspired me to do a PhD, he believed in me and I proceeded to complete a PhD, without his inspiration and support I would not have achieved what I have today, we became close friends and spent long hours watching cricket and enjoying each other’s company.

 I will never forget the first time I met him and for the way he has inspired me to help others, his legacy lives on in many ways.

Keith was 62 when he retired and was diagnosed with
MND, the last time I saw him was in Portugal, when we visited him at his Villa, sadly he passed away at 66, a life cut short by this silent of all diseases.

In this time of unprecedented times where we all face an uncertain future, there are many who need our help, some who rely on
donations and volunteers to help maintain a good quality of life such as people in Hospice care, and with MND for example. Many have had fund raising activities cancelled and contributions have dropped, so we need to help in some way.

If you would like to help me raise awareness for MND then please spare a few pennies, every pound will help improve the quality
of life of individuals who are at risk, my old friend and mentor who believed in me and inspired me to study and gain a PhD sadly died from MND and I hope that through fundraising I can pay a small tribute to him for making me what I am today in academic terms.

 Every year I have done something to raise funds and awareness for this superb charity and I feel that now it’s needed more than ever. So please help and see if you can donate you unused bus fare, unused pub money or just try and make a difference to someone.

this is the first part of my fundraising as I will be doing the Great north run with my daughter Becky in September