PLEASE NOTE - FOR SAFETY REASONS THE CHALLENGE HAS HAD TO BE AMENDED...

Team Alstead is walking the length of Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast in memory of this extraordinary man, David (Dave) Alstead. This was planned to be the actual walk, but as I (Jan) am unable to continue walking for 11-12 hours a day in the blistering heat, I had to amend the challenge... see the footnote for details.

Dave passed away on 22nd December 2021 after a long battle with dementia. He was the most wonderful husband, dad, father-in-law, grandad and 'surrogate' dad to his daughters' friends. In his lifetime he achieved more than most could imagine, but he loved nothing more than walking up the Lakeland fells with his beloved wife Evelyn, and particularly the 214 'Wainwrights' (which they climbed every one of, at least once!).

In 1998, when Dave reached 60 he decided to do the Coast-to-Coast to celebrate reaching 60 in a healthy state, and to raise money for 'Children with Leukaemia' a charity that supported a family friend (Karen) through her daughter's battle with the disease. He was joined by daughter Jan, Karen and another friend Kathy. Between them they raised over £6,000. He went on to do this epic journey twice more in his 60s with his wife Evelyn, just for fun!

Right through Dave's dementia journey he never forgot this special time and he often joked with his grandson Ed that they would do it together; even 2 days before he died he still said he would do it the following week, by then he was unable to walk at all.

On the day Dave died, his daughter Jan and grandson Ed decided to do the walk in his memory, and raise money for Dementia UK. Very quickly Jan's husband Simon and older son James pledged to join them, closely followed by Karen and family friend Alan.

FOOTNOTE: The heatwave has made it impossible for Jan to walk such long days, and uphill is especially a struggle for her in the heat due to her medical condition, so she has pledged to complete the distance over the next 2-3 weeks, but in a safe and managed way, walking and cycling.

Team Alstead made up of Jan, Simon, James and Ed Maddern, Karen West and Alan Palin. Please support us!