A woman from Weston-super-Mare has walked 494 miles in memory of her dad who was cared for by Weston Hospicecare before he died in April 2016.
Donna Patston lived without a car in May and relied on walking as a form of transport as she walked nearly 500 miles raising £620 for the hospice.
She walked 494 miles exactly to replicate the distance between her father’s hometown and the small French town Persac which was his favourite place.
Donna said: “In April 2016 I lost my dad to oesophageal cancer. For the last part of his life he was cared for at Weston Hospicecare.
“The
staff and the place itself was so amazing that I really wanted to find a way to
give back for all the support that not only my dad received but myself and my
family too.
“I discussed ideas around fundraising with my husband as I was a little unsure
what I would be able to commit to.
“Together
we came up with the challenge that for the month of May, which is my dad’s
birth month. I walked the equivalent distance of the 494 miles from my house
here in Weston-super-Mare to my dad’s second home and one of his favourite
places in Persac, France.
“I decided to complete this challenge with local walks and exploring areas
around me I had not yet been to.
“For the month of May I didn’t have a car, so every walk was completed from my doorstep. We are incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful areas local to us. I was able to walk through lovely shaded woodlands, vast open beaches, parts of the Mendips, beautiful parks, historical cemeteries, the fort at Brean Down and so many areas of outstanding beauty all here on our doorstep.
“The hardest part about the challenge wasn’t the actual physical challenge of walking so many miles as I thought it may be, but more finding the time to fit the walks in around my daily responsibilities and family. But I had a lot of support and made it in the end.
“Thanks to my wonderful friends and family and everyone who donated to raise so much money for Weston Hospicecare, it was beyond what I could have ever expected.
“The challenge was a really enjoyable experience, and it made me feel so close to my dad being able to explore the town and area that he was born and bred.”
The charity relies on support from the community to help support the free medical services it gives to patients with life-limiting conditions at its base Jackson-Barstow House and out at patients’ homes.
For more information about how to support Weston Hospicecare, visit westonhospicecare.org.uk/support-us/.