Our friend and Trustee Tricia Phillips took her connection to St Oswald’s Hospice that extra mile this summer by taking on an epic walking adventure through our beautiful Northumberland, raising funds for our patients and their families.
The St Oswald’s Way Walk begins in the countryside in the village of Heavenfield near Hadrian’s Wall before heading north along the Northumberland coastline and finishing at the stunning Holy Island, a total distance of 97 miles.
Talking about why she took on the challenge, Tricia said:
“I have always wanted to do this walk, and having been a Trustee at the Hospice now for 5 years it felt like a good time to do it. I’m close to the cause and passionate about the work of St Oswald’s Hospice. To be able to do this for them and all the families they care for, made it very special”.
A popular walking trail with avid hikers, some aim to complete the walk across six consecutive days which is the equivalent of just over a half marathon every day. However, as Tricia still experiences fatigue and other symptoms of long-Covid, she chose to take it on across a month, broken down into 11 sections.
“I’ve wanted to do something for the Hospice for a while and kept thinking ; when I get better I can … but the symptoms of long Covid have stayed with me for a long time, especially the fatigue, some days it was a hard just getting up and starting the day. I decided to focus on the thing I can do, I can walk, and even if it takes me all year, I could do it!”
With that, the idea was born, and Tricia began to plan out the route sections. However, following another Covid infection the start date was delayed. Tricia finally laced up her boots and set off in July, planning to complete the full route by August bank holiday weekend, which was also her birthday – what a way to celebrate!
“Having Covid again was a worrying development and delayed the start of my challenge, but I recovered fairly quickly this time which gave me the motivation to continue. I set up my fundraising page which took on a life of its own, I couldn’t believe the support and generosity. I was unsure how I would do, but it gave me a real sense of purpose and I wanted to try.”
Over the following four weeks Tricia succeeded in completing the St Oswald’s Way, covering all 97miles for the Hospice.
Tricia had great support from friends and family to see her to the finish line, having walking buddies taking on sections alongside her, mixed in with solo walks on beaches and toe dipping in the waters of our Northumberland coastline along the way.
The challenge ended as Tricia headed toward Holy Island for the final section of the walk. Met by family and friends for the last 5 miles, the group of 12 headed across the causeway together.
Tricia and her St Oswald’s Way Walk has raised an incredible £1,337.00 to support our patients and their families. We give our thanks to Tricia, and extended thanks to all those who supported and donated to her challenge.
If you have been inspired by Tricia’s challenge and would like to chat to our team about taking on one of your own, in support of our patients and families, please get in touch by email at supportercare@stoswaldsuk.org or call us on 0191 246 9123.
