A retired man from North Wales and his loyal four-legged companion are making remarkable progress on an epic 870-mile fundraising challenge, raising more than £13,000 for Nightingale House Hospice in memory of Paul’s late wife, Debbie.
Paul Jones and his cocker spaniel, Bobby, set off from Chepstow in early May and are currently nearing the end of their ambitious journey walking along the entire Wales Coast Path. The challenge, which he is due complete on Saturday, July 18th, is being undertaken as a tribute to Debbie, Paul’s wife, who received care and support from Nightingale House Hospice before her death ten years ago this June.
Paul said:
“After a very busy working life and then my retirement last Christmas, people would ask me, ‘Well, what are you going to do with yourself?’
“That’s a big question and one I don’t want a fixed plan for, but one goal I’ve had in my mind over the last few years is to spend part of my first summer in retirement giving something back to the hospice that were there for us as a family when we needed them most.
“We lost Deb ten years ago this June and the last couple of weeks during that time felt like a bit of a blur. For anyone who’s been through that process, your mind is trying to come to terms with what’s happening and it feels like everything is out of control.
“That’s when the hospice took us in and provided the care and support we needed for Deb and us as a family, where we could just concentrate on the person who was most important in a calm, safe and private place.”
Debbie’s love of Wales and the outdoors inspired the challenge. The couple shared many happy memories exploring the Welsh coastline during their younger years, with favourite destinations including Tenby, Barmouth and Morfa Bychan’s Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog.
Paul continued:
“Deb was a proud Welshwoman and I knew the challenge should be Wales-based and in the outdoors, which she loved.
“So, with all that in mind, the choice of walking the complete Wales Coast Path and camping along the way was the perfect one for myself and Bobby, my working cocker spaniel partner.”
Now nearing the end of their challenge, Paul and Bobby have been overwhelmed by the kindness they’ve received along their journey.
“Although it’s been tough at times, it’s been a really fabulous experience for us both so far. We’ve met some lovely, thoughtful and generous people along the way, some of whom have taken us in and provided us with food and a bed for the night.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what the remainder of our journey has in store for us as we head up the coast, around Anglesey and then back along the North Wales coast towards home.”
Emma Clarke, Individual Giving Fundraiser at Nightingale House Hospice, praised Paul and Bobby’s incredible achievement so far and the lasting impact their efforts will have on local families.
“To take on an 870-mile journey in memory of Debbie is a truly remarkable achievement, and to have already raised more than £14,500 is simply fantastic!
“By supporting Nightingale House Hospice through this challenge, he is helping other patients and families receive the same compassionate care, dignity and support that Debbie and his family experienced when they needed it most.”
To support Paul and Bobby’s fundraising challenge, visit their JustGiving page – bit.ly/870mileChallenge
