On Thursday May 13th 2010, Phil, a group of St Margaret's staff and a number of keen supporters will set out on the ultimate UK challenge walk - an epic 8-week, 1200-mile journey, travelling from one end of the country to the other in the John O’Groats to Land’s End Challenge Walk 2010.
Commenting on the epic adventure Phil says, “We couldn’t do our jobs or help the people we do without the generosity of our supporters. We are very conscious that most of our income has to be raised from the public - it is only the willingness of our supporters that enables me and my colleagues to do what we do best. As nurses we like to walk the extra mile for our patients and now I am walking the extra mile for St Margaret's! We really believe in what we do and want to help raise the money we need to maintain high quality hospice care for local people – and I need your support!” 
The Challenge will begin at John O'Groats on Thursday 13th May, 2010, and finish at Land's End on Monday 5th July. The route has been designed to go through some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland and England, including several National Parks. It is made up of tracks, bridleways, minor roads and footpaths and almost entirely avoids the main roads.
“The total distance is 1,271 miles, giving an average of 23½ miles per day. The longest day is 34 miles long (Yeovil - Taunton), but on most days we will cover between 16 and 26 miles. This suggests a speed of
2½ - 3 miles per hour; this is quite a leisurely pace; Ian Botham walked at exactly 4mph throughout!” says Phil.
As St. Margaret's Hospice is part of a community of hospices throughout the country, a feature of this challenge will be for Phil to link up with as many other hospices along the route as possible. This may involve visiting other hospices as part of the walk or staff from other hospices joining us and helping to raise money for their own unit.
Phil says, “The potential to meet staff and supporters from hospices in other parts of the country is exciting, and a prospect that makes this challenge unique. We have identified about 30 hospices on or close to our route, and will contact these to try and involve them in some way”.
How can you help?
We are keen to get as many people involved in Phil’s John O'Groats to Land's End 2010 challenge as possible. If you are interested in joining Phil for a few days or a few miles, driving the support vehicle, supporting the fundraising drive or helping out with some of the administrative work that is involved, then please click here www.walktheextramile.com for contact details
In addition, Phil has set up a blog to update you on how he is getting on with the planning, convey how it feels to be walking the entire length of the country and to explain why raising money for St. Margaret's is so important. Please click here for the latest update http://walktheextramile.blogspot.com
To sponsor this epic adventure please click here www.justgiving.com/walktheextramile
