My family and I decided to take on the Coast to Coast challenge as we were walking daily in lockdown and this seemed a good way to motivate the children to walk and at the same time raise money for people with Spinal Cord Injury.  We are doing it together as a team - my husband Glenn and two youngest children James, aged six, Alice, aged 3.

We are 94 miles in and it’s great, as well as giving James a bit of maths practice as he adds up the miles every time we walk.  To start with we kept our walks very local, sometimes just round the block but this week, now we are allowed to, we can drive then walk so we have ventured to the local canal.  Our longest walk was about two hours - my little one struggled so her big brother came to pick her up!  As we are both still working, we go out early evenings after dinner and before bath time, as that seems to work well.

The walks have meant precious time with the family and spending time in nature and it’s great seeing our steps and miles add up. It also really helps clear your head after a day at work and helps the kids get some fresh air before bedtime.

I would recommend the challenge to anyone and I have!  My mum is doing it and also my sister with her little one.  It has really motivated my mum who is 69 and now walking six days a week, sometimes up to five miles.

Before lockdown I hardly ever walked but I play hockey regularly.  Once lockdown is over we will try to keep walking each day after dinner as it’s really good for you. The children are really loving it; they ask if it’s ‘walk time’ and are eager to keep track of how many miles we have done.

Last year I did the Aspire Channel Swim and I am missing not being able to swim at the moment.  I can’t wait for the pool to be open as I love the time to myself that swimming gives me.  However, even though we can’t swim right now, we can still fundraise to support people with Spinal Cord Injury and walking has fantastic health and social benefits. 

My fundraising is going ok, but not as well as it did for my Aspire Channel Swim - but this isn’t surprising as people are struggling financially.  I find that email works best.  I do post on Facebook asking for sponsors, followed by regular updates, but I get the best response from emailing people. I ask everyone I know, including my work contacts and suppliers.  I am glad to be raising funds to support people with spinal cord injuries during this difficult time and to help them lead independent lives.

Sponsor Tasha

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