Well it's booked - at least my march planning trip is. I have been thinking about this for such a long time that I was beginning to think it was all a fantasy. Peter has no leave left so I will be all on my own - Monday 17th March to Good Friday in a B&B in Bowness. This is almost more of a challenge to me than the walk itself. I don't go away from my family often and rarely alone. I will be taking all my gizmos with me and will be in close touch with everyone but it is still a wrench.
I really need to do this though, not only as a personal challenge but because the first section from Lancaster to Kendal promises to be rather boring and perhaps impossible - much if it is along A roads and I am not going to put myself in the way of any danger. I can visualise the area within the Lakes, and can consider alternatives to the main roads if necessary (with the help of my brother) but the first part of the walk may have to be curtailed or followed in a different way - by public transport or by car covering as much of the ground on foot as possible, stopping to take photos and record impressions. No one wants to do this bit with me anyway so I will get it over with before I go up with Jane and Phil in June and with Peter and James in August.
I would also like to drum up a little more sponsorship. I sent out more than 140 letters and have only had about 15 positive replies. The vast majority have not even replied, though some have written to say sorry but can't help. The one I find most difficult to accept is Sainsbury's. They wrote a long letter telling me they were marvellous and worked hard in the community and then saying they couldn't let me have even a measly voucher. Tesco gave me £10 and I thought 'well, every little helps'.. They seem generous in comparison.
I also haven't heard from compression hosiery companies who are frankly making a mint out of people like me and our necessary compression stockings (yuk). I think I may just have to send them another letter....
Anyway - best close now and continue when the adventure has started next week. I will also be uploading some photos as that is a critical part of my walk - I want to write up my experience and illustrate it with photos a little more inspiring than in previous books on the subject. I have bought myself a digital voice recorder so i can chatter away as I walk and hopefully write it up later. The wonders of modern science..
Helm Crag
Thursday 13 March 2008
Tuesday 4 March 2008
March 2008 - Its got to happen!
My name is Suzie Grogan and I am facing the challenge of a lifetime as I gear up to follow in the footsteps of my favourite poet John Keats, walking more than 100 miles in Lancashire and the Lake District . This is I hope the first of many blog entries. Future entries will be shorter have no fear!!
I am a freelance researcher and writer from Wellington in Somerset and in the summer of 2008 I will be donning my walking gear and setting off from Lancaster on the first leg of a walk to raise money for the Lymphoedema Support Network and St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice.
It's a long time since I have done any serious exercise but the hard work will all be worthwhile if I succeed in raising £5,000 for The Lymphoedema Support Network and the Hospice. I have had Lymphoedema in my legs since my teens and following surgery for breast cancer in September 2006 I am now at risk of developing it in my arm. When I was diagnosed with Lymphoedema in my late teens it was very difficult. Even 25 years on many doctors do not understand the condition and it is often misdiagnosed. The diagnosis of breast cancer was in itself devastating but after successful treatment many women like myself need to know how to protect themselves from developing Lymphoedema, which can be both disabling and potentially dangerous. When you are put in touch with the Lymphoedema Support Network you immediately have the support and information you need to make sure the medical profession take your symptoms seriously. They are a very small organisation but punch well beyond their weight, raising issues in parliament and lobbying Primary Care Trusts to ensure treatment is available for all who need it. St Margaret’s Hospice, is where Lymphoedema patients in Somerset are lucky enough to receive wonderful care from Ali Batchelor, the nurse specialist. Not all parts of the UK are lucky enough to have this care, and money is tight everywhere.
The LSN and the Hospice have done so much for us all, now it's time I did something for them.
John Keats undertook a similar walk in 1818 and it inspired him to write poetry that has given me comfort in some tough times. I want to walk and write, inspired as he was. I hope to publish an account of my trip – noting the many differences between my walk and his. So much has changed – even since the last account written of the walk in the late 1970’s. I am well known in the Lymphoedema community for my work as chair of the Taunton area Lymphoedema Support Group, and I am hoping the local communities in both Somerset and Cumbria will support me in this marathon challenge. My friends on the support group are very generous and I hope other people, and businesses, will sponsor me if they can. Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean The Lymphoedema Support Network and St Margaret’s Hospice can continue their invaluable work. I have already raised about £500 and will be holding events to raise more money throughout 2008. Until 10th March you can enter the SWINK Art competition - up to 4 entries each at the cost of just £2 per entry for children and £3 per entry for adults. The competition will be judged by famous Somerset artist Louise Waugh and is open to all ages. There are some great prizes so get drawing, painting, making - in fact using any media on the theme of Animals in their Habitats. You can sponsor me by visiting my online fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/keatswalk. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to the nominated charities. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring me
I am a freelance researcher and writer from Wellington in Somerset and in the summer of 2008 I will be donning my walking gear and setting off from Lancaster on the first leg of a walk to raise money for the Lymphoedema Support Network and St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice.
It's a long time since I have done any serious exercise but the hard work will all be worthwhile if I succeed in raising £5,000 for The Lymphoedema Support Network and the Hospice. I have had Lymphoedema in my legs since my teens and following surgery for breast cancer in September 2006 I am now at risk of developing it in my arm. When I was diagnosed with Lymphoedema in my late teens it was very difficult. Even 25 years on many doctors do not understand the condition and it is often misdiagnosed. The diagnosis of breast cancer was in itself devastating but after successful treatment many women like myself need to know how to protect themselves from developing Lymphoedema, which can be both disabling and potentially dangerous. When you are put in touch with the Lymphoedema Support Network you immediately have the support and information you need to make sure the medical profession take your symptoms seriously. They are a very small organisation but punch well beyond their weight, raising issues in parliament and lobbying Primary Care Trusts to ensure treatment is available for all who need it. St Margaret’s Hospice, is where Lymphoedema patients in Somerset are lucky enough to receive wonderful care from Ali Batchelor, the nurse specialist. Not all parts of the UK are lucky enough to have this care, and money is tight everywhere.
The LSN and the Hospice have done so much for us all, now it's time I did something for them.
John Keats undertook a similar walk in 1818 and it inspired him to write poetry that has given me comfort in some tough times. I want to walk and write, inspired as he was. I hope to publish an account of my trip – noting the many differences between my walk and his. So much has changed – even since the last account written of the walk in the late 1970’s. I am well known in the Lymphoedema community for my work as chair of the Taunton area Lymphoedema Support Group, and I am hoping the local communities in both Somerset and Cumbria will support me in this marathon challenge. My friends on the support group are very generous and I hope other people, and businesses, will sponsor me if they can. Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean The Lymphoedema Support Network and St Margaret’s Hospice can continue their invaluable work. I have already raised about £500 and will be holding events to raise more money throughout 2008. Until 10th March you can enter the SWINK Art competition - up to 4 entries each at the cost of just £2 per entry for children and £3 per entry for adults. The competition will be judged by famous Somerset artist Louise Waugh and is open to all ages. There are some great prizes so get drawing, painting, making - in fact using any media on the theme of Animals in their Habitats. You can sponsor me by visiting my online fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/keatswalk. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to the nominated charities. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring me
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