Triumphant Trio Trotted Thames Path for My Cancer My Choices
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 8 marathons in 15 days – and clocked up an incredible 423,516 steps!
The trio, nicknamed the “Thames Trotters”, set out on 8 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.
The three main trotters are: Mandy Barter, from Streatley, who founded the charity 9 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 £15,000 – 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 2, 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 fivefold 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! The support has been incredible, and Mandy commented, “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 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
All the donations will go to support the charity in its mission is to empower people with cancer, enabling them to make active choices to enhance their well-being, as they come to terms with their diagnosis. Specialist therapists volunteer their time to offer a range of one-to-one and group therapies (such as acupuncture and reflexology), which help manage the side effects of conventional treatment and improve mental and physical health. These choices are offered from the time of diagnosis, and are not restricted by individual’s finances or cancer stage. The charity has around 65 volunteers and recently won the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for its work. More information about the charity is available at www.mycancermychoices.org.