Thank you so much for visiting my JustGiving page. In September 2025 I completed my ambition to walk the length of Italy to raise money for Winston’s Wish, a charity close to my heart. Over 90 days I walked from the Swiss border to Santa Maria di Leuca on the heel of the Italian peninsula, over 2000km, following the Via di Francesco and Via Francigena. Just me and my rucksack. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, I have so far raised about £9541 for this wonderful cause.

Winston’s Wish does amazing work to help children cope with their grief after the death of someone they love, such as a parent or sibling. Such a loss can be devastating, but with the right support at the right time, delivered in the right way, these children can go on to flourish and lead full and rewarding lives.

My own dad died in 1972, just before my fourteenth birthday, leaving behind my mum, sister and me, the eldest of five brothers. Of course, we were heartbroken, but it wasn’t until much later in life that I realised what a profound and long-lasting impact it had had on us all. I’m sure that, given appropriate support through our grieving, things could have been so much better. Having worked in education for forty years, I’ve witnessed many occasions when a child has had to cope with the death of their mum, dad, or sometimes both, at the most sensitive and vulnerable time in their lives. It’s not always easy to know what to say or do for the best. That’s why I walk for Winston’s Wish, a charity that has supported tens of thousands of children and young people, helping them adjust to their new reality and, in time, to feel hopeful about the future.

As well as my updates here you can also view my posts on Instagram, www.instagram.com/pauljjames58/.

There is still time to help me reach my target of £10,000, I'm nearly there. As well as any individual donations I might be fortunate enough to receive, I’d also be pleased to hear from businesses or corporations that might want to sponsor me in order to support Winston’s Wish. Every penny will be used to provide much needed support to grieving children and young people.

Thank you

Paul