Rob’s Fundraiser - Cancer Research - 1,000KM walk

2021 what a crazy year!

Not only have we had to live with Covid and it’s impact on society but personally I’ve experienced the greatest personal loss of my life - my father, Peter, passed away most suddenly in February.

My father was informed that he had acute myeloid leukaemia (“AML”) with only a few days to survive, he returned to his home and passed away a few days later surrounded by his family - AML is just a horrible disease that strips away all dignity from the sufferer in their final moments.

To be honest I haven’t dealt with grief in the way I would have imagined, I always imagined I would be a rock, I would compartmentalise my emotions and tuck them away whilst getting on with every day life - this couldn’t be further from the truth, every day is a struggle for me as I miss desperately my multiple daily interactions with my father and best friend

So why am I sharing my personal feelings with you all, you may ask?

The Simple answer is MONEY

My father was a man of action, no problem would be an obstacle, he would push aside all & anything in-front of him and just make stuff happen.

In honour of my father and so that others don’t have to go through the pain that he suffered in his final days, I have decided to walk 1,000 KM to raise money for Leaukamia research.

This walk isn’t any old walk, it’s in a country close to my heart, Israel - The Israel National Trail (INT) is classified by National Geographic as one of the worlds 20 great adventures.

Covid restrictions permitting and assuming my body will survive the training, after my fathers stone setting on the 30th September I will immediately fly out to Israel, quarantine for a week then commencing October 8th/9th walk the entire length of the country from the Golan in the North down to the Sea of Galilee, across to Haifa on the Mediterranean, South down the coast of central Israel to Tel Aviv, up to & around Jersualem and then through the desert to end the trail in December at Eilat by the Red Sea.

I will be walking on average 8hrs a day through multiple different climate zones along the way, with the toughest part by far being the last three weeks of hiking where logistically I have to navigate the Negev desert with irregular access to food/water/accommodation.

I know many of you see me as an athletic specimen , but this year has also been symbolic as I reached my milestone of 50yrs of age with a stent fitted due to hereditary heart disease - this hike will be extremely physical for me and the greatest challenge I have ever undertaken.

Not only do I need to hike constant daily long distance, but I also need to do so carrying a 20kilo back pack with all my supplies/camping equipment and water, not quite the “front of the plane and 5 star hotel” that I have become accustomed to over the years.

On top of the physicality it will also be a mental challenge as the boredom of walking 8-10hrs a day by myself kicks in, (please no funny jokes at this point).

I will do my best to keep a blog but to be honest I know I will be really boring so I’ll try to update periodically rather than daily. If anyone wishes to join me on sections of the walk in November / December then please feel free to reach out anytime

So long story short - my father was just the best full of life human being / father and friend one could wish for, he didn’t deserve to die the way he did.

So help me make a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Cancer Research UK and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

For those of you not aware Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer, their work is just phenomenal.

With the money you help me raise perhaps we can contribute in our own little way to finding a cure / treatment enabling other AML sufferers not to have to experience what Pete did.

Please be generous

Rob