Thank you for taking time to read this Just Giving page.

Paul Bousfield (photo above), a very dear friend of mine and many others, was diagnosed with cancer back in September 2022. At that time his cancer was considered treatable but was told this was no longer the case the following November. Thereafter Paul received palliative care at home along with short periods in hospital until his death in March 2023. Just six weeks after celebrating his sixtieth birthday.

Throughout the course of his treatment Paul paid tribute to all the medical staff at Lincoln Hospital and has nominated St Barnabas Hospice as the charity to benefit from monies raised from our walk. The Hospice is a local independent charity who supports more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire with a life-limiting or terminal illness each year.

Paul enjoyed the great outdoors and after his retirement began walking with a small group of friends with nothing better to do. Thanks to Paul’s sense of irony, the group very quickly adopted the title “last of the summer wine” (LOTSW). For quite some time the idea of walking the West Highland Way had been on the agenda but for various reasons had never come to fruition. When Paul first became unwell it was agreed to revisit the idea and finally do the walk to signify his recovery. Alas that’s sadly not to be, but nevertheless the walk will be undertaken with Paul very much in our thoughts and conversations.

The 93 mile West Highland Way is considered to be one of Britain’s most spectacular long distance footpaths. The walk consists of seven contrasting sections ranging from the quiet waters of Loch Lomond to the wilderness of Rannoch Moor and the magnificent highland scenery of Glencoe. Members of LOTSW, Steve, Tim and Bob, will begin the walk May 20th setting out from Milngavie, just north of Glasgow before finishing at Fort William.

Any money you can donate to support our challenge would be greatly appreciated. By way of example, every £14.58 raised will enable St Barnabas to provide one hour of specialist at-home care to a patient living with a life-limiting or terminal illness.

Thank you.