A year ago, Jim Parsons planned a charity walk for the end of July to raise funds for three cancer support charities, but his plans were forced to change along the way.
He was expecting to complete his walk before having an operation to install deep brain stimulation to help control a tremor. However, the operation took place in early July and as a result of an infection, he was unable to complete the walk. He decided to postpone the fund raising until this year.
Meanwhile, an annual scan, following kidney cancer in 2013, revealed a problem with his spleen. This was removed in October and was found to contain kidney cancer cells. A follow-up scan in January revealed other infected areas and treatment was commenced last week.
Jim is now keen for his fundraising walk to go ahead, which he has scheduled for 23rd to 28th April – and he is appealing for help along the way.
The walk will be about 10 miles per day, from Abbotsbury in Dorset along the Macmillan Way to Trudoxhill, where on Sunday 28th April it is hoped to have Sunday lunch at The White Hart, followed by a Thanksgiving Service in the chapel at 2.30pm.
As there are no camping sites along the route (the original idea was to walk the route, camping overnight) it will be cheaper to return home each afternoon/evening than to do Bed & Breakfast.
Jim is therefore seeking help with: a. People to walk with him (one day or more); b. Transport to/from start/finish points each day (four days can be covered by train journeys but road transport would be preferred – GWR were not prepared to assist); c. Donations – very important.
If you can help Jim (with transport, accompanying him on the walk or donating money) you can contact him through his facebook page, My Walk or see his flickr album My Walk (link on the facebook page)
The charities to benefit will be Macmillan Cancer, Dorothy House and We Hear You (WHY).
The sum of £513 is already in the bank from sponsorship and donations already received last year.
Itinerary: Day 1 Abbotsbury to Maiden Newton. Day 2 Maiden Newton to Yetminster. Day 3 Yetminster to Sandford Orcas. Day 4 Sandford Orcas to Castle Cary. Day 5 Castle Cary to Alfreds Tower. day 6 Alfreds Tower to Trudoxhill (about 5 miles).
