The mother of a former Carlisle teacher is urging people to give their support to a determined fundraiser who is walking almost 3,000 miles across Great Britain in aid of Eden Valley Hospice.
Adam Brown has now walked for 100 days as part of The Great British Gut Buster challenge which saw him set off from John O’Groats in Scotland in April and aim to finish outside Buckingham Palace in London next month.
His journey so far has taken him across the northern coast of Scotland, south into England, along the Welsh coast and now the southern coast of England.
Adam’s 2,900-mile challenge is raising money Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle in memory of his friend Anna Pike who was cared for at the hospice during the final months of her life in 2018.
Anna, who was born in Dumfries and brought up in Langholm and Canonbie in southern Scotland, was a teacher at Petteril Bank Primary School in Carlisle prior to contracting a rare form of cancer.
As Adam is nearing the end of his challenge, Anna’s mum Jenny is encouraging anyone who can to donate towards the challenge and help raise vital funds for the hospice.
“This is such a mammoth task Adam has set himself,” Jenny said. “He has only had two rest days in almost 100 days, enduring a range of weather conditions and basic camping, most of the time. He is so determined to complete this challenge and to raise as much money as he can for Eden Valley Hospice in Anna’s memory.
“We are so touched that Adam has chosen to use this walk as a tribute to Anna and a thank you to the hospice. And we know Anna would be too. Every amount donated, no matter how small, will help the hospice and also encourage Adam to keep going.”
Adam, who was born in York and brought up in the North Yorkshire market towns of Thirsk, Richmond and Northallerton, said: “It’s been the journey of a lifetime and I can honestly say, I’ve loved every single day.
“I’ve met lots of wonderful people that have shown great kindness and generosity in both assisting me and donating to the hospice. The memory of Anna is always with me and knowing the funds I raise will be put to good use really spurs me on.”
Jenny, from Canonbie, added: “When Anna became ill, the hospice enabled her to live as normal a life as possible, at home, just visiting the hospice daily or overnight, when required, for symptom control.
“When she became an in-patient on the adult ward, her family and partner were given accommodation at the hospice, so we could be near her. I cannot thank them enough for this.
“They made the worse time of our lives bearable. We were all treated with such kindness and understanding. Nothing was too much trouble and Anna’s much-loved dog was even allowed to visit.
“The hospice provides an essential service for those with life limiting illnesses and their families. It would not keep going without donations. So please support them, in anyway you can.”
Adam is documenting his progress via his website www.greatbritishgutbuster.com and through his social media channels, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saddambrown and Instagram: Instagram.com/wanderingman76.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Adam-Brown113.
