A Higher Goal:
Camino de Santiago
I’m lacing up my hiking boots again for my biggest challenge yet.
This September I’ll be hiking 500 miles from Southwest France to Northwest Spain along the famous Camino de Santiago.
The Challenge
In September, in memory of my wife Susan, and in order to raise money and increase awareness for Alzheimer's Research UK, I’ll be hiking the Camino de Santiago. This challenge will be the highlight of several events over this year and next, all with the goal of raising a total of £15,000. That’s enough to fund a PhD student for one year as they develop vital scientific skills and answer important questions in dementia research.
Over six weeks I’ll hike 500 miles from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in Southwest France to Santiago de Compostela in Northwest Spain.
The long-distance pilgrimage walk will begin with a 4,600-foot ascent through the Pyrenees mountains, followed by exposed plateaus, woodland trails and plenty more rocky ascents! I’ll be walking between ten miles (16 kilometres) and 18 miles (29 kilometres) each day.
Why it matters
Dementia is a global crisis. There are an estimated 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with this set to reach one million by 2030. The annual cost of dementia care to the UK economy is currently £25 billion. This is more than the cost of cancer and heart disease combined.
As many of you know, last September I walked 100 miles along the South Downs Way in memory of Susan, who died of Alzheimer’s disease in May 2021, and to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK. I’m immensely grateful for all the donations — and the work goes on! With your help, our scientists can bring about a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia that Susan and so many like her have experienced.
Follow my progress on the map and on the blog
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Previous Challenge
September 2021: in memory of Susan, and to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK, I hiked 100 miles along the South Down’s Way in one week.
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Blog
Read blog posts from my adventures on the Camino de Santigo here. Posts will be updated on a regular basis.
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Alzheimer's Research UK
Visit the Alzheimer’s Research UK website to find out more about the important work they do and where your donations go.
