Chris Maylor reflects on a walk with determined 13-year-old fundraiser Aimee.
Find out more about his walks online at: www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk
RECENTLY I had the pleasure of joining 13-year-old Aimee Torr and her dad, Matt, who were walking 108 miles along the Pennine Way from Hawes to Edale to raise money for Francis House Children’s Hospice.
Walking with this remarkable young lady reminded me of my own Pennine Way journey back in the early 1990s.
Trekking the full 276 miles of Britain’s first National Trail, at no point do I ever remember my spirits soaring has high as Aimee’s.
Walking distances equivalent of up to a marathon a day, wild camping en route and subjected to some terrible weather conditions, Aimee never stopped laughing or smiling.
At the end of each day’s walk, she even managed a celebratory cartwheel to mark her arrival at their nightly camping spot.
Making an early start on the fourth morning, it was the first day they hadn’t been subjected to high winds and heavy rain, and their progress was good as they climbed to Stoodley Pike and trekked across Blackstone Edge, Standedge and into the Wessenden Valley for their final night’s wild camp.
Waking early on the fifth day, Aimee strode south with even more vigor than before, ticking off the miles and landmarks.
Black Hill, Bleaklow & Kinder Scout were soon crossed and she arrived in Edale to a celebratory fanfare.
Aimee was absolutely amazing. She was full of high spirits throughout the whole five-day trek.
She set herself a target of raising £1,000 for Francis House and has already smashed it, raising over £2,000 and counting.
If you still want to support her and donate, please visit her Just Giving page online: www.justgiving.com/Challenge108
You can find out more on her Facebook page: Facebook.com/challenge108
The Pennine Way offers a worthy long distance challenge to anyone who cares to take up the challenge, and I would highly recommend it.
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