Starting on 6th August, I am walking Alfred Wainwright's 192-mile coast to coast route from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire. I am backpacking, as usual.

The route takes me through the rain belt, but with a bit of luck this strange summer of heatwaves will keep me dry and warm. I’m hoping, as well as having a thoroughly delightful (and exhausting) time, to do some good by raising money to benefit the Salisbury Hospice. As well as setting up this page, I am stapling a poster to my rucksack, hoping to pick up a little money from fellow travellers - but, however raised, 100% of donations will go to the hospice. Any donation you can afford will help to make an impact on an organisation on which close friends have recently needed to call.

Thanks in advance for any contribution to a cause that means so much to me!

Salisbury Hospice needs to raise over £1.5 million a year through charitable donations - over 50% of their total running costs. Over 1,000 patients and their families use their specialist palliative & end of life care services each year, which are given free of charge. Patients benefit not only from nursing care but also emotional, spiritual and practical support. For patients wishing to remain at home for their end of life care, there is a Hospice at Home service.