Hello lovely friends. Last year I walked The Old Way from Southampton to Canterbury over the course of a year. I’m now attempting this pilgrimage walk back the other way in one go, mostly alone, and I hope to raise awareness and funds for two great causes: Dementia UK and The Migraine Trust. Please see more info below. Any funds received will be divided equally between to two charities.

Thank you for any donation of any amount. And an equally big thank you for keeping these causes in mind and helping to overcome the misunderstanding and loneliness associated with these diseases. Most of all, thank you for your love and support.

The Walk

The walk is 250+ miles in 21 days - on paper! By the time I’ve double- backed, got lost, walked to my overnight accommodation and then to the local hostelry for some much needed sustenance (!) it will be more like 300.

I’ll be sleeping in churches along the route as much as possible - thanks to the very kind permission of each rector or priest - with a couple of b&b stays in order to have a shower and wash my socks! There will be challenges (apart from being a bit niffy and my awful sense of direction) - I have a dodgy hip and I live with migraine. I am incredibly grateful that after 5 decades of soul-destroying, career-destroying migraine, I have finally found an effective treatment that, universe willing, will allow me to complete this walk.

I’ll be doing daily updates and posting on my Instagram account - @shrine2shore or @debgsloan

The Migraine Trust. https://migrainetrust.org/

Those of you who know me will know how my life has been deeply affected by migraine - there are almost 10 million people like me in the UK alone. Funding for research is scarce and there is limited understanding of how this often disabling condition can negatively impact health, relationships, livelihood and careers. The Migraine Trust raises awareness and understanding, provides valuable support in the darkest days and helps to influence policies that give those living with migraine fair and equitable access to the best treatments possible.

Dementia UK https://www.dementiauk.org

It’s a sad fact that many of us will be affected in some way by dementia. Finding the right support and advice can mean the difference between living well with dementia and just getting through. Dementia UK can provide that support and advice for the whole family. Just £9 helps to pay for 2 people to make that first vital call to their helpline. By supporting Dementia UK you are helping more people to know they don’t have to face dementia alone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.