Three valiant volunteers have just completed the gruelling challenge of walking the entire Thames Path over the past 15 days.
They each walked 203 miles (due to path diversions) – the equivalent of nearly eight marathons in 15 days – and clocked up 423,516 steps.
The trio, nicknamed the “Thames Trotters”, set out on June at the river’s source, and walked over 200 miles to finish at the Thames Barrier on 22 June, to raise funds for My Cancer My Choices (MCMC), a charity providing complementary therapies and support to people living with, and beyond, cancer across Berkshire, and based in Charvil.
The three main trotters are: Mandy Barter, from Streatley, who founded the charity nine years ago after her own cancer diagnosis; Fiona Pearce, Wokingham, a member of the charity’s fundraising committee for many years; and Nicki Brown, of Checkendon, who is volunteering as a complementary therapist for the charity.
During the 15 day expedition, they were joined by 27 other family, friends, supporters and users of the charity’s services, each walking for a day, a few days or even a week, and raising additional funds and boosting the Trotters’ morale.
So far the team has raised an incredible £12,000 – which will keep the entire charity operating for over a month, ensuring more people can benefit for their services.
The Trotters have had plenty of adventures along the way, surviving deluges and baking sun, navigating through diversions and path closures (including a little trip on Ringo the Pink Flamingo pedalo to get them across a bridge closure), and an appearance on national radio to add to the mix.
Despite horrendous blisters from day two, Fiona was determined to finish the tortuous trek, and said: “Walking the length of the Thames Path over 15 days was a big challenge but it exceeded all my expectations.
“For me personally it was more than a walk and I have changed as a result of all I have experienced along the way. My fellow Trotters, Mandy, Nicki and Claire (who joined for the second week), are so inspiring to be around.
“The most amazing outcome is the extraordinary amount we have raised for MCMC which has increased fourfold from our original £3K goal. Nearly 300 people have donated so far and this keeps on growing.
“I am proud to have been part of this amazing journey, but very glad my blisters can start to heal and I don’t have to wear my walking boots any more.”
The Trotters want to express their huge gratitude to all the people that joined them en route, donated, ferried them around and fed them, and even their taxi driver who donated his fare.
Mandy added, “The support has been incredible.I feel elated that we have raised vital funds for My Cancer My Choices, which will help people with cancer access therapies that make a difference to their lives.
“ I’m delighted we have completed this really tough challenge – I would really encourage people to explore the Thames Path in all its beauty. On a personal level, walking 203 miles is a significant achievement in my 60th year, and 15 years post cancer. I hope it highlights the he benefits walking has on mental and physical health.”
If you’d like to sponsor the Thames Trotters, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/thamestrotters
