Sophie is walking 40 miles

What am I doing?

On Saturday 24 August I am undertaking the Lyke Wake Walk, this is a 40-mile (64 km) challenge walk across the highest and widest part of the North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, England.  The route from Osmotherley to Ravenscar includes 1,524m of ascent, moorland and bogs.  I am hoping to take about 16-18 hours.  The route remembers the many corpses carried over the moors on old coffin routes and the ancient burial mounds encountered on the way; the name derives from a lyke, the corpse and the wake - watching over the deceased.

Why am I doing this?

Lots of reasons! Walking is my happy place, and I wanted a challenge. However, a huge part of this is in memory of my lovely Ma who died last year from lung cancer. One evening a few months before Ma died, I arrived to see her later than planned, Pa was out and she was already in bed.  I went and sat with her and we chatted, sharing a bag of chips I had bought on my way and a glass of wine...  We talked about all sorts; her illness and the unfairness, social inequality in the world, how tasty the chips were (but how Pa would complain about the smell), the love of family and friends, and that I might do a big challenge walk in 2024 [it was a very random chat!].  And a seed was sown in mind... 

Why have I chosen to raise money for Community Works?

Community Works is a Thirsk-based charity.  Their mission is simply "to help people".  This really speaks to me and so does the brilliant work they do locally, from food banks, to working with people with poor mental health, they have projects for older people and key workers to help people through tough times.  During Ma's illness we said so many time how much harder it would have been without the love and support of family and friends, and without a shared ability to navigate the life admin associated with a terminal illness.  

Community Works is there when local people need help.

Why am I aiming to raise £850?

Because I needed to pick a number and 40 miles is about 85,000 steps, so if I hit this target each step will equate to 1p of sponsorship!

Please sponsor me...

My target is ambitious, and so are 40 miles across moorland.  Thank you - your support no matter how small is really appreciated.

Still reading, here are some more details...

The walk will start at 6am, and we will probably finish it in the dark.  I am not doing it alone!  I am walking with a group from Yorkie Talkie Outdoors, which means I have some fabulous walking buddies as company, support and logistics provided (including a pork pie stop) and a pink T-shirt on finishing!

I have been training.  I went to a gym (once!), completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks (in the rain) in April, more recently the Howgill 2000ft challenge AND am an expert in convincing my children into walking miles to get an icecream / visit a beach / see a waterfall.