Phil Brown, 65, completed his epic adventure in just one month, raising over £27,000 for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, where his wife, Anna, died in January following a short illness.
Phil set out from Minehead on 31 May and finished up in Poole Harbour on his daughter’s birthday on the 30 June. The route, that included a gradient equivalent to climbing Mount Everest four times, was a very special one for Phil as he and Anna had always planned to do the South West Coast Path together.
The adventure provided plenty of memorable moments for Phil, he explained: “”I met and talked to so many people many of whom donated and left touching messages. I walked with Ruth for a few miles, she lost her husband in 2016, and she shared some valuable insights into life a few years after loss. There were many challenging days, a few falls but fortunately no serious injury. I walked the last four days with painful shin splints”
After walking such a staggering distance Phil made sure to celebrate the end of his journey in style, he shared: “There were some good friends there to greet me at the finish. Rachel and Clive walked with me the last day and there were many friends to welcome me home and share a beer or two, followed by dinner and a massage the next morning.”
Now his adventure is behind him Phil shared what it meant to him to complete such an incredible feat: “I’m feeling relieved, it was extremely emotional when I finished. I was just so pleased to have done it.” Thinking of Anna, he added: “She wouldn’t have doubted I’d finish. But she’d be amazed I didn’t injure myself; I’m always bumping my head! Most of all she would be delighted at how supportive Alex and Max were and how much closer we have become since her loss and the walk.”
As well as honouring Anna’s memory Phil was determined to raise as much money as possible for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, which provided care and support for Anna and her family in the final weeks of her life. As Phil shared:
“My daughter Alex, son Max and I spent two weeks with Anna in Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. That last week I slept there, holding Anna’s hand throughout the night. We were all with her when she passed away on January 30, just two months from diagnosis.
“The care Anna received at the hospice was truly wonderful. My children and I could never find the words to express our gratitude. From the people who brought the breakfast, to the cleaners to the nurses and doctors, to the retired nurse who came in as a volunteer at weekends to play the piano, they were all just so caring, it was extraordinary.”
Friends and family rallied around Phil’s challenge, offering both emotional and financial support, he shared his deep gratitude for these contributions: “I’d like to thank Ian and Janet McKenzie who sponsored my expenses for the walk, Tim Gardiner, the guys from Lilley Brook golf club have been extraordinary, Rachel Lewis who made the film, Polly who did the t-shirt designs, everyone who walked with me, put me up and donated, Ashley, and more than anything my amazing children Alex and Max.”
Phil reflected on the driving forces that powered him along each mile of the stunning South West Coast Path:
“It was important for me to do this walk to keep Anna’s memory alive for everyone, that is why it was called #fortheloveofanna. I’m so proud to have raised £27,000 so far for Sue Ryder. If anyone’s considering a fundraising challenge for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice – do it. The hospice is desperately needed so it’s important that people support it.”
Laura Jeffries, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said: “We are absolutely bowled over by the amount that Phil has raised for us so far, we’d like to say an enormous thank you and congratulations, 630 miles is an incredibly long way to walk! It is thanks to the dedication and commitment of our supporters, like Phil, that we can continue providing care to people when they need it most.”
To support Phil’s walk visit: Phil Brown is fundraising for Sue Ryder
To follow Phil’s journey visit: www.fortheloveofanna.
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About Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice:
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. Here at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice located just outside Cheltenham we provide a safe and reassuring hand for right across Gloucestershire to reach for.
From giving care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
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