I’m aware my most recent posts have been a bit doom, gloom and dark and it’s time I posted a positive one so here we are:

In December 2024 while mindlessly doom scrolling I saw a post from headway UK (a brain injury charity; I have used some of their online resources before but that’s hopefully a long story for further down the line) and I know they run groups, activities etc etc for all brain injury survivors not just stroke.

They posted about an upcoming fundraising drive to get people to walk 90km in February 2025 fundraising for them

I continued doom scrolling but the thought kept coming back to me over the next week “it’s time you gave something back Ben” and you can walk; sure it’s not pretty or fast but you do walk.

A bit of fast maths told me 90/28 was about 3km per day, I looked on my apple health and was routinely hitting or well over.

I talked it through with Rich he agreed it was do-able maybe doing the odd longer walk supplemented with a daily 3km or there about and he’d help me.

Feb 1st I was almost bang on 3km

Feb 2nd was much lower, I had a lazy day pottering round the house and

My next day off I decided I was getting a catch up in; I set off from my house, through our adjacent woods, followed a spring /stream almost to the next village then back home. It was muddy, arduous and I began to question if I had overestimated my ability to do the challenge, what kept me going though was seeing the donations come in, I’d set a goal of £150 over the month and watching the donations come in was humbling and made me realise how supported I was.

The second week I could pull back a little; easily getting my 3km per day when in work, the Sunday of that week Rich made a suggestion: let’s walk round our village dam, with the dog and end in the pub. All these things AND km off my total. Let’s go!

Week 3 followed week 2, and week 4. Rounding off in the pub with a long walk. I was getting close.

Headway announced all completing walkers with 90km and £150 raised would get a medal and certificate. I’ve never had a medal and I want one!

In the final days I’d started getting very close; I wanted to finish the 90km on a high, plotting to make a final walk to the pub, crossing the threshold as my 90km ticked over.

Because I was high activity at workthe 90km ticked over without fanfare as I waited for a tram home, just me, a few scattered strangers and a feeling of underwhelm. Once I got on the tram,sat down, confirmed my numbers were correct and I’d completed the challenge it started to sink in.

My mind ran back to my days on the stroke ward convinced I’d never walk again. Those first movements of learning to stand then making some shaky, poor movements to make my first steps.

Here I was having knocked 90km in 26 days (2 days early) . I checked my fundraising amount the £150 goal long in the distance sat at £305. More than double my initial goal.

For a man who had at one point given up ever walking again I’m chalking this one episode up to my determination, ambition and passion which have always sat behind me.

I’ve done it on socials but I want to cement some thanks:

Rich for doing lots of the walks with me

Donors I appreciate every penny

Marina for joining me slowly bumbling around behind her

Oliver my good friend who joined me for one indoor walk and lunch