Ian Hensley Fundraising Walk October 2024

West Highland Way a distance of 96 miles, should be easy!

MY STORY - UPDATED

Since completing the Coast to Coast walk in May 2024, I wanted to know how best I could raise the balance of my original target. Since the walk, and I must say I have felt better physically, I decided to walk the West Highland Way as a practise for an even bigger challenge in May 2025 when I am looking to walk the Pennine Way, some 260 miles this time.

Since finishing the walk I have had to continue chemo again this time twice weekly for 3 weeks then a weeks rest, then 3 weeks of chemo etc etc. It is possible that this treatment could last for the rest of my lifetime, so could impact on both walks if I am not healthy enough or my Consultant advises me not to get involved.

Currently I feel exceptionally tired once I sit or lie down and am unsteady on my feet and have the shakes in my hands, but none of this should stop me from completing both challenges. I got through the first one, not just physically but also emotionally which helped me and which also shut off everything else I was thinking about for 2 weeks.

I have been accepted on the Myeloma Panel for looking at future research, as there are other ways I can help others to live longer in the future. Currently we are pushing the Government, which ever one that may be, to make the general public and indeed the Doctors more aware of the cancer and to help with the costs involved in finding a cure. Going back to the walk in May, we talked to many people en route and I would guess that only 10% had heard of Myeloma! This shows that awareness of the cancer needs to taken by the throat and make people sit up and listen, take it all in and maybe that could help them recognise the the initial signs for themselves or others in the group of Friends, who know it could save a life or two as they say.

I will post more details of the next 2 walks nearer the time, but remember donations of any amount will help me get to my target.

ThE following is my story from the beginning and I am leaving as a reminder to all and those that may not have caught up with it first time around.

Hi, I hope that when you have read my story and the plan I have for my Fundraising event,

that you will understand and appreciate why I just have to do this as soon as possible as I

will be 70 years old in January 2024.

I was born in Norwich, Norfolk and have been an active person all my life and in addition to

running, mountain biking and camping all over the UK and Europe for the past 50 years, I

achieved three specific things that I remember well:

1976 - hiked from the south coast to the north coast of Wales aged 22

1987-1994 - Group Leader in the Scouts and on two separate trips, took them to Norway

hiking and we camped at 7000 feet in the snow !

1996 completed the Three Peeks Challenge climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden,

which has to be completed within 24 hours, including travel time.

Then in September 2021 I received the news that nobody wants to get

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer

This is a relatively unknown cancer, but I was aware of it as my Mum was diagnosed with

Myeloma some 20 years ago. About 5200 people per year are diagnosed with Myeloma

and there is currently no cure with life expectancy being between 2-5 years having been

diagnosed.

Given my circumstances I am about half way through my life expectancy and I feel

passionately that I must do something to make people more aware of it and to try and raise

funds to help find a cure.

After the diagnosis had sunk in, I made up my mind to keep a positive attitude and to

remain as busy as possible, but to also enjoy life to the full. I underwent chemotherapy and

went into remission some 6 months later, but after a further 9 months the cancer returned

so I underwent a stem cell transplant in March 2023, and I am now feeling physically a bit

better, but nowhere near how I felt in early 2021 and mentally my situation is constantly on

my mind as it would be for all Cancer sufferers.

I am 70 years old and as a birthday challenge, so yes I have set myself the task of walking

from the West coast to the East coast of England in May 2024, along the Coast 2 Coast

route originally put together by Arthur Wainwright in the 1970’s, a distance of 190 miles

assuming I don’t get lost that is! I will be ably assisted by my wife and my very good friend

David Connell, otherwise known as the “Form”, my nickname is the “Goat” by the way,

which came about years ago when we worked together !

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I am hoping the challenge will go well, although I realise it will be very hard. Friends will be

joining me for some of the days to offer encouragement as I’m sure there will be times I

will need it. I hope that other members of the public will come on board and also walk with

me on some of the days.

I wish to raise as much as possible to help enable a cure to be found and also wish to make

people more aware of this cancer. As mentioned earlier, it is little known and affects mainly

the blood and spine, so although I may not see a cure, at least I and you will be helping

others to lead a better life in the future.

If you would like to take part and join me on some of the walk (a detailed schedule will be

provided on request) then please contact me as follows;

07889805546 or via email peboudou1@gmail.com

Thank you for reading my story

Ian