OAP is gearing up for 1000-mile trek
A pensioner is aiming to tackle a gruelling 1000-mile challenge for a good cause – one year later than originally planned.
David Spencer, 69, had hoped to walk 1003 miles in 2020, taking him from his Rutherglen home to Cardiff, then on to Essex, before heading back again, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus crisis forced him to postpone his Welsh trek, which is in honour of his late wife, Maureen.
Now the former oil worker will give it another go at the end of this month, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
The first part of the journey will see David walk 359 miles, from Rutherglen to Pentwyn, near Cardiff, followed by a 217 mile walk to Harwich in Essex.
From Harwich, he will journey to Kempston in Bedford, another 87 miles, then it’s time to head back home to the Royal Burgh, which will take him another 340 miles – for a grand total of 1003 miles.
And the determined grandfather-ofthree cannot wait to put his best foot forward on a journey that he expects will take around eight weeks.
David said: “It became impossible to do it with all the restrictions but I was really disappointed not to manage it last year. I’m looking forward to getting started. It’s quite a challenge but should be enjoyable.”
David’s wife Maureen passed away in February 2019 after being diagnosed with cancer and he decided to do something to help Cancer Research UK as a thank you for all the support the charity gave him and his family.
He added: “I’d planned to go with a rucksack last year and stay in some
B&Bs as I went, but that hasn’t been workable – I’ve got too many things for the rucksack and with coronavirus staying in the B&Bs wasn’t an option.
“So now I’ve got a motorhome and my oldest son will drive ahead to each location and I’ll meet up with him each night. At some point he’ll need to head home, so one of his friends will drive down and take over.”
David intends to set out on April 26 and is aiming to complete the challenge by June 18.
He has already raised an impressive £3485 for the charity.
To donate, visit https://fundraise. cancerresearchuk.org/page/davidsgiving-page-2325