Just over 2 years ago I left my home in The Gower to walk the Coast of Britain and Ireland raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK. I am currently back at home, for the second time in my journey reflecting on this roller coaster of a walk which has seen me travel the length and breadth of Britain.
To date I have walked 8000 miles raising nearly £80,000 for Alzheimer’s Research, and I still have another 3,000 miles to walk to complete my journey.
Having hiked the Welsh Coastal Path from Pennard to Fishguard, I set sail for Ireland in February 2019 and walked clockwise around this beautiful country returning to Fishguard in June. From there I headed north following the Coastal Path during the long, hot days of summer visiting Bardsey Island and navigating Anglesey before leaving Wales to head to the Isle of Man. It was my original intention to only walk a few of the Islands of Britain but as my walk progressed, I fell in love with Island life and have now walked over 50 Islands heading out to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.
It was in March 2020 just 30 miles south of the most northerly point in Britain, Muckle Flugga, Shetland that I had to call a halt to my walk and return home in time for lockdown, I could not have been further from home but with the help of supporters was returned home safely. There was obvious disappointment in having to postpone such a huge challenge and it took time to adjust to day-to-day living having been “On the road” for over 15 months, but we have all had to adapt to ever changing circumstances and by August 2020 having been at home four months I was able to restart my walk. This time in the opposite direction walking from home back to Shetland!
The tremendous support for my journey continued as I made my way across the Severn Bridge and followed the South West Coast walking around The Isles of Scilly and unbelievably arriving on another Island this time the Isle of Wight before hearing news of another national lockdown.
I have been at home now since the beginning of November. It is good to be here, but my rucksack is packed ready and waiting for the day it is safe to restart my walk. I am working flat out to keep raising awareness for Alzheimers, a cause I am so passionate about.
Since November we have raised over £4,000 from sales of a calendar we made of some of the spectacular photographs taken on my journey and I am delighted to have been made an Alzheimer’s Champion.
The next leg of my walk will take me to the Channel Islands and up the East Coast of Britain back to Shetland where my Alzheimer’s flag is awaiting my return.
It is a privilege to walk for this charity and I would like to thank all of you who have followed my journey since I started…It keeps me going.
We wrote about Karen’s journey as she passed through Newgale at the start of her challenge in Pembrokeshire. What an inspirational lady you are Karen – we look forward to following your final stage back to Shetland.
