Hi, my names Alice and I'm raising money for my Nanna Johnson who we recently lost to breast cancer. My sister and I just found out that there will not be a funeral happening, a choice made by our selfless Nanna for reasons we cannot fathom (nor can we ask her about, now she is no longer with us). Without a ceremony to say goodbye to her, we are struggling to process our loss, especially since I live halfway across the world (I live in Japan, my sister lives in the UK), so I am channeling this grief into something positive and worthwhile. The facts I had to work with were:

-Nanna spent most of her life looking after both of my Uncles who we sadly lost to Muscular Dystrophy

-Nanna loved art and literature; reading and painting were her main hobbies

-She leaves behind a devoted train-loving husband (my Grandad) who I also wanted to involve in this process somehow

So, with all that in mind, I have decided to do a sponsored walk around the main loop trainline in Tokyo (The Yamanote line) to raise money for Breast Cancer UK and Muscular Dystrophy UK. The route is 40km long, and if that wasn't a challenge enough, I have decided that at all 30 stations, I will stop to create something for Nanna (either a piece of artwork or a poem). I will collate these at the end, in a book for my Grandad alongside the picture of the map I drew and a grand total of however much I raise.

To anyone who knew my Nanna, any donation and/or some kind words or sharing of memories would be greatly appreciated. I will add any messages to the memory book for my Grandad at the end. To anyone who didn't know my Nanna but who has any donation to give, I want you to know not only is that money going to some incredible charities, but also it's allowing me to process and deal with this awful loss, and for both of those things, I am so deeply grateful. This walk will just as much be for me as it will be for the charities. I am hoping such a distance will allow me to have time and space to think about my Nanna and reflect on what she would have wanted. It will allow me to create a book of my own creations, in her memory, whilst my feelings are so raw, whilst also doing something for two charities that are understandably very close to our hearts. Finally, this walk is about proving my Nanna had an impact. She mattered. She was so selfless and inspiring and this is but one way to show all of that. Or at least... I hope so. Thank you so much to anyone who supports me on this journey and, as always, Thanks to you Nanna for being the best <3