Cheltenham man walking 630 miles in memory of wife
Phil Brown is walking 630 miles along the South West Coast Path in memory of his wife Anna.
A Cheltenham man is embarking on a 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path in memory of his wife.
65-year-old Phil Brown is taking on the challenge in memory of his wife, Anna, who died at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in January following a short illness.
Phil is setting off on the 31st of May and plans to complete the journey in one month, finishing on his daughter’s birthday on 30 June.
Phil is set to walk around 21 miles a day along a route that includes a gradient equivalent to climbing Mount Everest four times.
The route is a particularly poignant one for Phil, as he explained: “Anna and I always wanted to do the South West Coast Path, so I’m sure there will be some emotional bits on sections that I have previously walked with her especially as I pass the Saunton Sands hotel where we had our honeymoon.”
As well as honouring Anna’s memory Phil is determined to raise as much money as possible for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, which provided care and support for Anna and her family in the final weeks of her life.
Phil said: “My daughter Alex, son Max and I spent two weeks with Anna in Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
“That last week I slept there, holding Anna’s hand throughout the night.
“We were all with her when she passed away on January 30, just two months from diagnosis.
“The care Anna received at the hospice was truly wonderful.
“My children and I could never find the words to express our gratitude.
“From the people who brought the breakfast, to the cleaners to the nurses and doctors, to the retired nurse who came in as a volunteer at weekends to play the piano, they were all just so caring, it was extraordinary.”
There has also been an amazing response from those who have found out about Phils challenge with those helping him to prepare refusing to take any payment.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: “remarkably clients of mine Ian and Janet McKenzie have actually covered all my hotel accommodation, they’ve sponsored me for the walk.
Tim Gardiner did all the t-shirts, payed for all the t-shirts and Polly designed them.
Amanda in the gym, they also did a Spinathon in the gym at Everlast to raise money
Orange yoga where, my wife only retired 18 months before she passed but in that time she became a yoga teacher and her life was going to be yoga and so Pete Meloy and the people at orange yoga do a fantastic job there
And Bruce dowling who has been giving me physio again for free but im putting his money into the fund.”
Phil has almost hit his target of £20,000 for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, to donate visit this link.
You can also follow along Phils journey searching ‘fortheloveofanna’ on social media or keep up to date on his blog.