John O'Groats to Land's End!

The Idea!

I have wanted to do this walk for many years but never believed I could be in the position to see my dream come true. Although it is just dawning on me just how tough this challenge is for me to organise, let alone do!!
This walk has also been made possible by the huge support I have had from my friends.

In 1994 I moved to a farm in Wiltshire and worked as a house keeper for Julie. I had two dogs, Max and Ben. Life was good, Wiltshire had plenty of lovely walks and I had a good job and home. But I had itchy feet and any chance I had I was off travelling in my car with the two dogs, camping anywhere!

One year I took my friend Ruby to Scotland to see her sister Doris. I was hooked, Scotland just took my breath away and yet I had seen so little.

Sadly I lost Max in March 2004 and it was time for my life to change. I bought a small caravan and moved to Malmesbury. I started my own cleaning business and was also able to do house and animal sitting. I also started a course from home (with Compass Education) on Canine behaviour/anatomy and physiology because I love dogs and what better job to have than to work with them!

Two of the people I started cleaning for were Elaine and Ron. They also love their dogs, especially Bassett Hounds. They not only have two adorable Bassett Hounds, Amber and Freddie, they also foster dogs. One of the charities they foster for is The Oldies' Club.

It was throgh Elaine that in February 2006 Storm came in to the lives of Ben and I! Storm previously had a good life with an elderly lady in Ireland. Unfortunately she had to go in to a nursing home and sadly leave her beloved dog behind. Storm went to a rescue centre. The Oldies' Club were informed as they help rehome older dogs (those over 7 years old). So Storm came to England. He was first fostered by Jan and then came to Elaine.

Storm was a very pretty boy. Everybody fell in love with him. He was 12 years old and great company for Ben (also 12 at the time) The three of us were off travelling and camping; Cornwall, Forest of Dean, Peak District (well actually, in the Peak District we stayed in a B&B!).

Sadly it became apaprent that Storm had a heart problem. His health deteriated in early 2007 and on April 13th he sadly left Ben and I. All of you will know what a void losing a loved pet leaves in your heart, and Storm was loved by all who met him.

So once again it was just Ben and I! I still had itchy feet, so I started making plans for doing this walk. With the help and support of my friends, especially Elaine and Ron and Julie (who I had worked for at the farm) the plan was becoming a reality.

The most difficult choice I had to make about this walk was whether Ben would be able to walk with me. He is now 14, he loves his walks but being honest, he cannot walk for 10 miles day after day. I shall miss him immensely, but if I do not do this walk now, the opportunity may not arise again. But there are still options!! I have a couple of friends; Martin, Padi, Elaine and Ron who have said they would join me at certain points on the walk and bring Ben with them! There is also another idea, if we were able to borrow a camper van (for a week or more, any offers please contact me!) Padi and her dog Paris would follow and support me, and that way I could also see more of Ben!!

So please, support me anyway you can on this walk and help raise loads of money for Dog's Trust and the Oldies' Club!

Trish

Ben and Jack

Storm

Amber and Freddie

Paris

Max