The 218m Challenge #operationkernow

On the 29th June I will be attending an exforces in business award ceremony where I have been shortlisted for the inspiration of the year award. 

So here is the challenge, from my house the the Grosvenor House hotel, where my father did his chefs apprenticeship 70 years ago, is exactly 218 miles, which a plan to leave this coming Wednesday morning, giving me 30 days to walk it, and I am challenging the rest of the world to raise £218 million for charities, The RBL, SSAFA and the The REME charity who helped me when I was homeless 3 years ago. The stroke charity, as my father died of a stroke two years ago, to raise money for an electric wheelchair for my friend who suffers from fibromyalgia, and to raise funds for my friend who I've known for over 25 years who is losing his sight at the ripe old age of 52. Along with as many other charities as possible. Including MIND, BLESMA, The Spina Bifida association, Shelter, Cornwall air ambulance, Devon Helicopter Rescue, Help for homeless veterans, The Veterans garage in Manchester and many many more.

I've asked some of my friends for some moral support and to look after my house for the next month whilst I'm embarking on this journey.

4 years ago I watched 4 friends from The Veterans garage at Barton Airport walk from Manchester to Mousehole in Cornwall in honour of a fallen friend. So I'm taking this to the next level, I shall be walking the journey on my own. I know the journey will be filled with dangers along the way and I'm fully prepared for those hazards, as I spent years working roadside assistance. 

I'd also like my mum and stepdad to be there and my son's, and I'm hoping that my friends and family will cover any arrangements whilst I'm walking, I shall be walking up the A30 and then along the A303 passing through Yeovil where my eldest was born, stopping in at The Cooper's Mill where I worked during the millennium celebrations. I will be passing Stonehenge and a little further on will be passing my late uncles garage which has been an iconic landmark at Chicklade where both my grandparents lived nect door to each other and my mum and dad met way back in 1952. A little further on I shall be passing the School of Aeronautical engineering at Middle Wallop, and pay my respects to Mark Swales who sadly lost his life during a car accident in 1991, heading towards Bordon in Hampshire where I completed my mechanics course in 1993, before heading towards London, 

This may sound simple, 218 miles in 30 days, that's less then 8 miles a day, but every day for 30 days without a break, and I only have 3 days to prepare for it, but this is only the first leg of 4, the second leg is a further 182 from London to the Veterans garage in Manchester via the National Arboretum, followed by a third leg of 100 with my youngest son and a final leg of 300 to get home to Cornwall 

It will be both mentally and physically challenging and I hope that many will come out and show some support along the way.