Stafford man’s 630 mile walk for charity in memory of son
A Stafford man is walking a gruelling 630 miles for a mental health charity - in memory of his eldest son.
Terry Horne, age 66 from the North End of town, is tackling the South West Coast path from Friday, September 5 to raise money for the Young Minds organisation.
He explains: “My eldest son Leon took his own life 22 years ago, aged just 16. He had severe mental health issues. I believe emotional health initiatives are vital in today’s society and can play an especially important role in the wellbeing of us all - and I have chosen this particular charity because they focus on young people.”
Terry is looking to complete the 630 mile walk around England’s south west peninsula in five to six weeks, at around 18 miles per day - and will be wild camping in his little tent most nights. He starts at Poole Harbour in Dorset and will continue around the rugged coasts of Cornwall and Devon, finishing in Minehead, Somerset.
The South West Coast Path is our longest national trail and the UK’s ultimate challenge for the long-distance hiker. There’s more than 115,000 feet of ascents and descents and completing it is equivalent to climbing Snowdon 48 times and Mount Everest four times.
Terry adds: “I’ve tackled some other challenging walks before, like Offa’s Dyke and the West Highland Way, and although this will be extra tough I’m looking forward to experiencing the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife along the way.
“Leon’s memory and what I’m doing for Young Minds will keep me going too, but I also need your support please. You can donate via my JustGiving page to a very worthwhile cause. I’ve already exceeded my initial £1,000 target via some very kind donations, so am hoping we can now reach £2,000.”
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. They'll send your money direct to YoungMinds, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs. The charity automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.
For anyone that would like to keep tabs on Terry’s progress during the walk, he’ll be posting regular updates and photos on his Facebook page.
