This June I am walking a total of 75 miles, around five different lakes, in five different English counties, on five consecutive days, in memory of my friend Bob Colley (one mile for each year of his life).

I’m raising money for the British Heart Foundation, and I’d ask you to dig deep and sponsor me to help fund research.

A friend for over 30 years, Bob was a keen walker and on June 10th 2023 he spent the morning walking around Stanwick Lakes in Northamptonshire with his wife Val. During the walk he felt unwell – he actually suffered a heart attack – but he didn’t like to make a fuss and carried on walking. The following day he was admitted to hospital, but the damage caused to his heart was irreparable and his life couldn’t be saved. He died during surgery early on the morning of 12th June.

I also suffered a series of heart attacks, in August 2018. Luckily, the surgeons could save me, and in the hard years of rehabilitation which have followed, Bob was constantly in touch, supporting and encouraging me in my return to health.

So I’m walking in memory of him, a man who loved and cared for his friends as much as he did for his family, and I will be joined on different stages of my journey by family and friends.

The itinerary:

SATURDAY 8TH JUNE

Pugneys Country Park, WEST YORKSHIRE

1.6 miles x 7 laps = 11.2 miles

SUNDAY 9TH JUNE

Carsington Water, DERBYSHIRE

8 miles x 2 laps = 16 miles

MONDAY 10TH JUNE

Rutland Water, RUTLAND

22 miles

TUESDAY 11TH JUNE

Grafham Water, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

9 miles

WEDNESDAY 12TH JUNE

Stanwick Lakes, Rushden, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

4.4 miles x 4 laps = 17.6 miles

Please support me, in memory of a lovely man, and to save life.