BSB Group’s Sponsored Walk For Pilgrims Hospice
Written by Joe Whiting
This year on 15th June, BSB Group took part in its second Pilgrims Way Challenge; a sponsored walk for the Pilgrims Hospice stretching 35 kilometres from Dover Castle to Canterbury. This time, with some new recruits!
Last year, we tragically lost our former Managing Director and my grandad, Tony Read. My grandad was cared for by the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, a hospice that runs 80% on voluntary contributions. He received an extremely high standard of care and compassion from the hard working staff there, free of charge. Having such a positive experience with the hospice in a time of such sadness for my family sparked a new yearly tradition of partaking in the Pilgrims Way Challenge to raise money for the charity so that families like ours can have the same dignified care.
This year my partner, Lucy, and I had the opportunity to join Lani (my dad), Liv (my sister) and her partner Matt who completed the challenge last year.
As an observer of the walk last year at the finish line, I looked on in admiration for everyone that took part. Not only in trying to comprehend the extent of their achievement, but also their comradery. While there were blister plasters being applied and sweat running down the participants, or Pilgrims if you will, they all had a silent sense of unity. A spirit of “We’re all in this together.” and the power to say “I know what you’ve been through, well done.” in a single nod to each other. While I had been involved in raising money for the hospices and had been unable to complete the walk last year, I was looking on at the group of Pilgrims with the urge to participate more than I had before.
Cut to a year later and we had raised over £630. With reports of rain and thunderstorms, I remarked to Lucy “Maybe we could just tell everyone we did it?”. Armed with my dad’s waterproof jacket, we arrived at the start line with our spirits high and the knowledge that we may not end with them. I felt so excited to be a part of something that is going to raise money for a cause so important to myself and my family. But I also felt a sense of “What have I got myself into?” And in Lucy’s eyebrows, I could tell she felt the same. With this minor sense of dread, I looked to my dad, my sister and Matt as they geared up for their second year of the walk. They were all sharing a sense of excitement for the journey ahead and memories of the year before which gave myself and Lucy a great deal of comfort. We realised that through 35km of rain showers would come memories to share for years to come.
We took the first step of 45,000 over the start line together. Immediately, raindrops began plopping on our heads. The rain then followed us through the fields of Dover as the wind rippled through the wheat, making them appear as waves in the channel and us helpless rafts trudging through with our boots often anchored in the sinking muddy ground. We packed coats and waterproofs, whereas flippers and snorkels would have been better suited on this section of the trip.
We reached one of the many rest stops where we were met with the kindest volunteers offering us supplements and shelter. We’d like to thank them for their constant encouragement and fantastic coffee making skills!
Reaching half way looking like a sock in a sewer did not fit the ideology I had instilled in my head from observing the walk last year, but it did feel brilliant! Struggling through all those fields felt so rewarding knowing we were doing it for the right cause. And also seeing my sister nearly slip over every minute or so was hilarious.
At this point of the walk, the weather was clearing up. Making the path visible which was a first. Our coats began drying as the clouds opened and the sun swept across the fields.
At last, we reached Canterbury. We felt the contrast of the grass to the harsh concrete beneath our feet as we stepped onto a housing estate. This was the last leg of our journey, almost there. Of course this is when my legs finally realised they had been walking since eight o’clock. Making each step feel as if my legs weighed a tonne.
We wandered down the streets and past Canterbury Cathedral, a historically significant landmark in the Pilgrims Way. We crossed the finish line with a “hooray” from the volunteers. We’d done it! 35 kilometres of rain, shine, blisters and aching - all with a smile across our faces. Most of all, eighteen amazing supporters donated to our Just Giving page, making each step worth it.
I’d like to thank everybody that donated and everybody that took part in the walk. Together, we all raised £90,000 going straight to Pilgrims Hospice. I’d also like to thank close family members: my mum, Ali and Steve. Without their hospitality and support, we could not have completed the journey.
We felt exhausted after the 35 kilometre journey, however our finish line was just a checkpoint for BSB Group Supervisor Kelly, who took on the 55 kilometre challenge! Congratulations from all of us Kelly!
If you are thinking to yourself, “I wonder if I should do something like that for charity?” do it. I hope that reading this blog has helped you realise it’s all more than worth it.
I hope to see you all next year.
