Two years ago our friends Neil and Rachel’s three year old son, Joseph, passed away in his sleep. This year they set up a charity in his memory. Grieving families have enough to deal with without worries about where they will find the money to say goodbye to their child. The Joseph Salmon Trust will give financial assistance, helping pay for things like the funeral and the gravestone.
We are incredibly proud of our friends, and want to support what they are doing as much as we can. But even if we didn’t have that personal connection with them, we would still realise that the Joseph Salmon Trust will fill a vital gap in the support offered to bereaved parents. There are countless agencies who offer emotional and spiritual support, but very few who offer practical and financial.
So here is the promised announcement. Next year, sometime between the dates of the 19th of July and 3rd of August, I am going to do a sponsored walk of the entire length of the 84 mile long Dales Way. The expedition will take around six days and will take me through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales national park and into the outskirts of the Lake District.
And the following people are coming with me: Craig, Dave, Lee, Mushy, Paul, Rich, and Rich.
Of course most of these people are not actually aware of they are coming. And some people have actually expressed some kind of deluded belief that they are able to decline my invitation. But they are coming, oh yes they are coming. I realise that many might feel there are more comfortable ways of raising money than walking 84 miles through the Yorkshire countryside. But to them I say pah, pish, and pshaw. There are many reasons why they should come along and I shall address each individual personally.
 How many more opportunities are there going to be for a lad’s holiday? Slowly but steadily our youth is being subdued by adult responsibilities. Mortgages, careers, partners, and children; all these things have enhanced our lives in some way. But sometimes we need to break out and be that 18 year old idiot again. Think of it: eight friends wandering the beautiful rolling landscape by day, reclining in welcoming jovial country pubs in the evening. No pressures, no worries, only companionship. It’d be like City Slickers but without the cows.
|
And that’s not the limit of who’s invited. Oli, Sam, Sandip, Jim, Jez, it’d be great if you came along too. In fact anyone can come, the more the merrier. But no girls, we don’t want any girl germs stinking up the place. This will be a manly walk for manly men. You women can do your own damn expedition.
Now for the details. I’ve yet to work out the exact specifics, but here’s what I’ve got so far. The walk will take around 6 days:
- Day One: Ilkley to Grassington (17 miles)
- Day Two: Grassington to Buckden (11 1/2 miles
- Day Three: Buckden to Lea Yeat (17 1/2 miles)
- Day Four: Lea Yeat to Sedbergh (11 miles)
- Day Five: Sedbergh to Burneside (17 miles)
- Day Six: Burneside to Bowness (10 miles)
I have a vague idea that we will alternate staying in a B&B’s one night with camping out in tents the next. This would keep the costs down. We wouldn’t be carrying the tents with us though, Kerry has said she’d be willing to drive them to us on nights we needed them.
The open road beckons you, what do you reply?
What a great and wonderful cause. I would so join you if I could. View all comments by Hygiene Dad
That is a great cause…let us know where we can donate and if you will be taking paypal :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest View all comments by bradley egel
Health issues wouldn’t enable me to take part in something like this but I really admire those that can and do instead of lazing around like so many others do.
I would be more than willing to put Craig, Dave or Mushy up for the night but that’s more for my own reasons than for philanthropic ones but that is an entirely different issue lol View all comments by Amanda Regan (madamspud169)
You actually make me want to hop on a plane and fly halfway around the world to walk! But it would be better if I just donated the cost of all that. View all comments by Phil
That sounds fantastic! I’m immensely jealous. Jealighted as you say.
And for such a great cause too. View all comments by Holmes
Anthony just Im’d me and said we should join you. Will Kerry deliver beers with the tents? View all comments by Whit
Sounds like a great idea for the most worthy cause, I could certainly be tempted to part with a donation and could even be tempted to join you on one of the days, we’ll see eh ?
My youngest likes walking, we’ve talked of doing the Penine or Dales Way in small chunks through the winter but I keep coming back to the problem that if we park the car and then walk, say, eight miles, we then have to walk eight miles back to the bloody car - by the time we’ve done all of the stages we’ll have walked the bloody walk twice, there and back. View all comments by Gary
I’m in! I’ve just bought an ice cream maker, and I think that its recent purchase (and use), along with my mostly sedentary lifestyle necessitates a jaunt among the hills.
One condition: I’d like to have a picture and a rousing speech? Ok, so that’s two conditions. I’m a diva.
Oh, and won’t Kerry get girl germs on the tent as she transports them? Think I might just carry mine… (A statement I may live to regret) View all comments by Oli
Oh, and if you can provide details of how to go about the sponsorship, I’d like to raise as much as I can.
A litre of ice cream to the chap who raises the most money. The winner may choose the flavour. (Satisfaction and knowing-you’ve-helped-in-some-way aren’t valid flavours, however good they may taste) View all comments by Oli
Dan, it would be an honour to support Neil and Rachel’s charity, and to accompany you guys on this walk. Definitely count me in. If you need any help in the setup closer to the event, let me know. View all comments by Sandip
God help me, I’m in. No glib comments though just a growing terror about what I’ve agreed to… View all comments by Paul
I’d like to hear about how the sponsorship works. Not that I’d donate - I’m a cold-hearted fucker - but it would be nice to know in case I run across people who like to be charitable. View all comments by Avitable
Wow, this is going even better than I hoped. So far their are five of us (I’m pretty sure Dave is coming from what he’s said in the past). So come on the rest of you, you don’t want to be left out do you?
I’m going to leave the whole sponsorship thing until the new year. I want to get the participants drummed up first.
But don’t worry, I’ll be rattling my tin cup plenty nearer the time. View all comments by Dan
Dammit. Now you make me want to come up with my own cause to march to. Good for you. I will try not to be offended at the “girl germs” thing. ;) Oh, and count me in for a donation when the time comes. View all comments by Kristina
The grandness of this trip is eclipsed only by the greatness of the cause.
Please be sure to keep us posted as things develop. View all comments by NYCWD
Wow. I’ll await sponsorship arrangements. Didn’t feel able to comment about the last post. View all comments by (un)relaxeddad
Sounds pretty good actually Dan - however I’ll have to stay as a firm “maybe” at the moment. I’ve been struggling with injuries all year, and my knee only can cope with an hour or two walking at most before it seizes up. It’s got a knobbly bit that sticks out. I’ve had an xray and I’m assured it’s come back as “normal” so I’ve no idea what the problem is! I’m back at the docs this week. As Caroline tells me it’s a long way away so I might well be fighting fit by then - but will have to see. View all comments by Craig
I’m in - how can I say no with such a colourful persuasion?
Craig - we’ll rotate the piggy back… View all comments by Brooky
That’s a great cause. And 84 miles…wow!!! I’m not sure I could walk for 84 minutes right now. View all comments by Darren
Sounds like a LOT of walking, but for a great cause! Count on me for a donation when the time comes.
For now, some helpful advice: “Stay on the road, beware the moors, beware the moon.” View all comments by Donna
If I sponsor you Dan will I have to shave my head? View all comments by Jeff
Donna: We’re taking silver bullets. View all comments by Dan