A FROME man battled extreme heat and painful blisters to complete a 102-mile trek in under three days, raising over £1,300 for charity.
On some of the hottest days of the year, Tom Ayres trekked the Cotswold Way, a long distance walking trail that runs between the market town of Chipping Campden and the city of Bath, with a 14,500ft total ascent.
He began his solo challenge on Thursday 6th August at 6am, completing the trek on Saturday 8th August, 57 hours later, averaging 34 miles and 75,000 steps a day. Money raised from the challenge will go to Cancer Research UK, a charity close to Tom’s heart.
Tom told Frome Times, “I did it solo, self guided, walking 15 hours a day. Carrying 15kgs on my back of everything I needed from a tent to laundry, food to painkillers.
“It was an absolutely stunning route with incredible views throughout, but the very hilly route and added weight on my back caused friction on my heels and toes, the high humidity prevented me from keeping my feet dry.
“Due to these two things I had to treat and dress the first nasty blisters at mile 18, by mile 80 I became too scared to redress and treat my feet properly as it was becoming far too painful and it was taking a huge amount of time.
“I went from averaging 3-4 mph over the first two days, to 2mph on the final day due to the pain throughout my lower legs and feet. It took me over an hour to walk the final 2 miles through Bath in 29° heat, the tarmac and cobbles felt more like hot coals and glass.
“But the feeling when I rounded the corner from the high street to the Abbey to see my wife standing waiting for me and completing the challenge for Cancer Research was just incredible. It broke me, Cancer Research UK is genuinely the only reason I didn’t quit. It was really very very painful, so please donate whatever you can.
“It’s a charity close to my heart because unfortunately I’ve seen first hand the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on an entire family. How in a single moment every worry you previously had becomes insignificant, how helpless you become and the instant grief you feel.”
This is the second time Tom has trekked for charity – in 2017 he completed the 120-mile Two Moors Way walk, which connects the south coast of Devon to the north coast.
To support Tom and donate to Cancer Research UK, visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/tomayres-cotswoldway
Picture: Tom Ayres at the start of his trekking challenge in Chipping Campden.
