On 11th August I will begin a 90 mile walk along The Pilgrims' Way from Southwark Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral. This may not seem a big deal for someone who is known to be a keen walker, but on March 11th of this year I underwent open heart surgery to repair a faulty heart valve, followed by two days in intensive care. I have spent the intervening months recovering, a very slow, and at times extremely frustrating process, which is still ongoing.

I will be undertaking this challenge with my friend, Steve Hinsley. This is a trip we had planned to undertake in May, but it was delayed by my surgery (and would of course have been prevented by Covid-19) and has now become a far greater challenge for me than it ever would have been previously.

Due to various commitments, we will walk the Southwark to Dartford stretch on August 11th, then the Dartford to Canterbury stretch over 5 days from 4th-8th September. 

Given the difficulties facing charities during these dreadful times, it feels appropriate that I should take on this challenge to raise funds for a cause which is very important to me, Heart of Kent Hospice. The Hospice supported my late wife, Judith, and myself in the last months of her life. This enabled her to stay at home, as was her wish. They have also provided care for other friends, in particular Andrew McCann and Craig Thompson, and Charity's mother, Cherry, was supported by their dementia service. I will also be remembering my godson, Sam Waller, who was cared for by his local hospice, St Catherine's in Crawley, last year, as was our friend Lee Russell a few years earlier.

It is only from my personal experience that I have learnt quite what outstanding work hospices do, and I want to ensure that our local hospice is there for those who need its services in the future. Heart of Kent Hospice is facing a funding crisis like never before and needs to raise £300,000 every month to continue to help over 880 terminally ill patients and their families, both in their homes and in the Hospice Inpatient Unit. Any sponsorship you are able to give will be greatly appreciated and will help to protect these services for the future. 

I have been forbidden to enter any pubs during the course of the walking day, so frankly it's worth sponsoring me just for that!

With my grateful thanks

Tony