Wednesday 15 January 2014

University of Hertfordshire Alumni Article

News article posted on University of Hertfordshire website. Cheers Suman

http://www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/news/2014/january/from-john-ogroats-to-lands-end

From John O’Groats to Lands End…

9 January 2014

Former student Dave Redmond plans to walk over 1,000 miles in 50 days to reach his end destination for three charities

On 30 June 2014, alumnus Dave Redmond will be travelling from John O' Groats to Lands End by foot to raise money for three chosen charities: Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society and Help for Heroes. Dave graduated with an LLB in 2005 and is now working as a Criminal Barrister in St Albans, whilst currently studying a PhD part-time.

His aim is to brave the entire journey on his own completely unsupported, which includes carrying his own kit and sleeping in a tent every night. He hopes to achieve this in approximately 50 days.

When asked why he decided to take the challenge, he said: 'In recent times so many of my family members and even a few friends have either died from, been affected by, diagnosed with, or had a health scare concerning cancer. I have spent so much time getting emotional and depressed by all that has been going on over the last decade that I felt, for my own sanity, that I needed to do something positive about it. If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, then change your attitude. So I set about changing my attitude by getting something done.'

We'll be keeping up-to-date with him for all the latest, but in the meantime if you'd like to show some support and follow his journey, visit his Facebook page and his blog.

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On 30th June 2014 I embarked on a journey from John O'Groats to Lands End...

on foot... carrying a rucksack and a tent... on my own.

The plan was to cover just over 1100 miles in as close to 50 days as I possibly could. I would be sleeping under canvas or in a bivvi under the stars every night. I wouldn't have the support of vehicle or team to lighten the load along the way. It was supposed to be just me, myself and I (plus a bergen full of kit) and it should have averaged out to about 22 miles a day over as varied terrain as the Highlands of Scotland, the Offa's Dyke path in Wales and the South Coastal Path of Devon and Cornwall.

That was the plan... and it started well.

Unfortunately less than 13 miles into the trek, just outside a little hamlet called Keiss on the A99 between John O'Groats and Wick, I was struck from behind by a camper van causing me to sustain multiple injuries which left me incapable of continuing the walk. The driver of the camper van didn't even stop.

So... is that the end of it?

Big Dave's Little Stroll struck down before it even really started?

Not on your life son! Super Wife is onside... Big Dave need some time to heal up and get back on the training/dieting/blogging... but Big Dave's Little Stroll is definitely pencilled in for the latter part of 2015! This time round he may allow himself the odd B&B here and there instead of a bivvi every night but other than that it's business as usual!

So if you haven't donated already please do because it's all in aid of three amazing Great British charities, the MS Society, Macmillan Cancer Support and Help for Heroes.

You can follow Big Dave's progress at http://bigdaveslittlestroll.blogspot.co.uk/

You should also check out this amazing charity single by the Sons of the Late Colonel called 500 Miles (#GoBigDave) - http://bigdaveslittlestroll.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/500-miles-gobigdave-fantastic-charity.html

So what's the plan now?

Well he will still be completely on his lonesome (save for a few friends who may accompany him for a few miles here and there). He still won't have a team to support him or carry his gear and he'll still be sleeping in a tent most nights.

The rules remain the same and are beautifully simple: no cars, buses, boats, trains or planes... no donkeys or other livestock... no hitching a lift on a passing teenagers handlebars or nicking the skateboard or rollerblades off of the local kids.

Only pure leg power (together with a fair amount of blood, sweat and tears we're guessing) will drive him for his 1100 or so mile journey and what is more... and he is still aiming to achieve this in about 50 days (give or take).

Who is this mad man? Well, he isn't your average long distance trekker that's for sure! Dave is a 31 year old, 6ft, 19 stone (24.5 stone when he first began training!) criminal barrister from Dunstable, near Luton. He is a full time husband and father, part time PhD student and a sometime warrior poet! By his own admission he has become a bit squidgy round the edges in recent years, but this local man is determined to do something that makes a difference this year and thus this crazy plan was hatched!

All the money raised will still be divided equally between his three chosen charities: Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society and Help for Heroes - and we're aiming to completely smash his initial target of £5,000!

So go on... show him your support and donate a few quid to some incredibly worthwhile causes.