Last year I was motivated to take the 70k in May Challenge because Christian Aid envelopes were no longer being distributed door to door in my home town of Thirsk. By doing this challenge I am giving people an easy alternative way to donate to the extremely important work of Christian Aid. This is even more important this year as our Government have followed the example of the previous Tory Government in cutting the amount they give to foreign aid. This means that even more money needs to be raised by organisations such as Christian Aid if many more people are not going to die or suffer because of the effects of the climate crisis, famine, warfare and natural disasters. Of course you do not need to live in Thirsk to donate to Christian Aid via my fundraising challenge.
I’m taking on 250k in May to help communities fight the climate crisis. This means I’ll be covering 250 kilometres walking throughout May, in solidarity with millions of people who have to walk long distances for clean water or to sell their produce. My wife, Judith, and our dog Zak will be accompanying me on much of my walking.
In Guatemala, farmers like Aurelia are battling extreme weather, but with Christian Aid’s support, they’re learning skills to protect their farms and provide for their families.
Your support can help fund this vital training. Just £20 could buy two pounds of climate-resilient seeds, diversifying a family’s crop and increasing their resilience against the effects of the climate crisis. Any contribution will help.
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Updates
On 30th May, we walked down to the filling station on Long Street to buy our papers, then back home. We drove to Studley Royal Park, had a picnic lunch, then had a walk around the deer park and through the village. We saw lots of deer, most of them lying down, some standing grazing. Zak got rather excited when seeing a couple of squirrels. Back at the car park we had Yorkshire Dales ice creams. Today I walked 8.83km, taking my total so far to 256.97km, passing my target of 250km in May. I will write another update on 31st May, the final day of the challenge.
Sorry, for the second Day 28, read Day 29!
In the morning of 29th May, I did an extra 2 hour shift as stand-in for 'welcoming' in church, so I walked down to St. Mary's Church and back home after my shift. In the afternoon, Judith was at her craft club; Zak and I walked through the Millennium Green, across Dowber Way and South Dowber Lane, through the fields between South Dowber Lane and the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home along Stockton Road and Alexander Close. Today I walked 6.97km, taking my total so far to 248.14km.
28th May started with taking Zak to the vets to see Isabella. He got some tablets for his allergy (a kind of canine hay fever). This visit involved a little walking e.g. from car to surgery and back. As this was shopping day we then drove to Tesco, then to the Market Place where we all walked to the butcher and greengrocer shops. Zak and I left Judith to continue shopping while we walked home via the picnic area, white bridge, Stammergate, Stockton Road and the footpath up to Fairfield. In the afternoon, we walked up the fields to South Dowber Lane, over the dual carriageway, along the track to South Kilvington past Pasture House Farm, then back on the path through the fields to Stoneybrough Lane, up Stoneybrough Lane onto South Dowber Lane and back down the fields to Fairfield. Today I walked 8.68km, Taking my total so far to 241.17km.
In the morning of May 27th, Judith was busy cleaning at chapel, Zak and I walked along Alexander Close, Stockton Road to Stoneybrough Lane, then on the footpath across the fields to South Kilvington. We returned on the track past Pasture House Farm, crossed the bridge over the dual carriageway, onto South Dowber Lane and returned home through the fields to Fairfield. In the afternoon we walked down the path from Fairfield to Stockton Road, along Stammergate, down to the white bridge, across the playing field and Carr's field, alongside Cod Beck and up the footpath across the field to Stockton Road. We returned home along Alexander Close. Today I walked 9.19km, taking my total so far to 232.49km.
On 26th May, in the morning we walked through the Millennium Green, across Dowber Way and South Dowber Lane, through the fields between South Dowber Lane and the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home along Stockton Road and Alexander Close. Before lunch time I walked down to St.Mary's Church to do my two hour stint, 'welcoming' visitors, then walked back home. Later in the afternoon, we walked down the path from Fairfield to Stockton Road, along Stammergate, down to the white bridge, across the playing field, through Carr's Field, alongside Cod Beck, up the footpath across the field to Stockton Road and back home along Alexander Close. Today I walked 10.11km, taking my total so far to 223.30km.
On 25th May, I had another day watching cricket at Headingley, day three of the County Championship match between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. Again, my walking was limited to walking from my parked car to my seat in the ground, walking round the ground, three circuits during the lunch interval and one circuit during the tea interval, then walking back to my car after close of play. Today I walked 4.87km, taking my total so far to 213.19km. You may have noticed that my target to raise £700 has now been reached and I am very grateful to all who have contributed to Christian Aid via my challenge. Of course the page is still open to further donations, so if you have been meaning to donate and have not yet done so or if you now feel inspired to contribute, please do so, enabling more people to be helped by Christian Aid and their partners. I am still trying to reach my target walking distance of 250km by the end of this week.
On 24th May, in the morning we walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, over the bridge over the dual carriageway and along the track past Pasture House Farm to South Kilvington. We returned on the footpath across the fields to Stoneybrough Lane, onto Stockton Road to the filling station for my paper then up St. Marys Walk back home. In the afternoon, Judith was busy baking, so just Zak and I walked down the footpath from Fairfield to Stockton Road, along Stammergate, down to the white bridge, across the playing field and Carr's Field, along the side of Cod Beck and up the path alongside Whitelass Beck to Stockton Road, then back home along Alexander Close. Today I walked 9.75km, taking my total so far to 208.32km.
Congratulations! This activity has reached its target of £700.00
May 23rd was another day of me watching county cricket at Headingley, Yorkshire v. Nottinghamshire. My walking was largely limited to walking from my parked car to the ground, walking three times round the ground during the lunch interval and once during the tea interval, then back to my car after close of play. I walked 5.94km today, taking my total so far to 198.57km.
Congratulations! This activity has reached 75% of its target of £700.00
On 22nd May, in the morning we walked down the path from Fairfield to Stockton Road, along Stammergate and St. James Green, along the Riverside walk to Ingramgate, then along William's Court to Sowerby Flatts, alongside the East side of Cod Beck to and across the bridge and back across the fields to Chapel Street, through the Market Place, along Millgate, through the picnic site, over the white bridge, back along Stammergate, up St. Mary's Walk and back home. In the afternoon, while Judith was at her craft group, Zak and I walked through the Millennium Green, across Dowber Way and South Dowber Lane, through the fields between South Dowber Lane and the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home along Stockton Road and Alexander Close. In the morning our 15.5 year-old TV set died, so after our afternoon walk and Judith's craft group we drove to Ripon and did a bit more walking from the car park to Craggs' shop, bought a new TV, walked back to the car and drove home. Today, I walked 10.16km, taking my total so far to 192.63km.
21st May, shopping day again. Judith walked with Zak to Sowerby Flatts while I drove to Sowerby Road and walked to meet them, then walked back to the car. We drove to Tesco and then to the Market Place. I walked across to Boots for my medication, then walked home via the picnic site, Stammergate and the footpath from Stockton Road to Fairfield while Judith continued shopping and then drove home. In the afternoon we walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, over the bridge over the dual carriageway then to South Kilvington past Pasture House Farm. We walked back home across the fields, Stockton Road and Alexander Close. Today I walked 8.09km, taking my total so far to 182.47km.
On 20th May, we walked down to the filling station on Long Street to collect my paper and returned home. We drove to Middleham, had a picnic lunch at the castle and walked around the castle. We then walked on footpaths across the fields from the castle to the River Cover, near the stepping stones, turned right and walked along Cover Banks, then turned right again and walked back over the hill to the castle. On the way home we stopped off at Brymor in Jervaulx for delicious ice creams. Today I walked 9.18km, taking my total so far to 174.38km.
On 19th May, in the morning we walked through Millennium Green, across South Dowber Lane, through the fields between South Dowber Lane and the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home along Stockton Road and Alexander Walk. At lunchtime I walked to St. Mary,s Church for my weekly two hour session of 'welcoming' visitors, then walked back home. Later in the afternoon we walked down the footpath from Fairfield to Stockton Road, along Stammergate and down to the white bridge, then across the playing field, Carr's field and followed Cod Beck until walking up the footpath across the field to Stockton Road, then back home via Alexander Walk. Today I walked 10.28km, taking my total so far to 165.20km.
On Sunday 18th May, in the morning I walked to St. Mary's Church for morning service, then back home. In the afternoon we walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, over the bridge over the dual carriageway, then right round the large field on the far side of the dual carriageway, then retraced our steps back over the bridge and back home. I walked 9.54km today, making my total so far 154.92km.
On 17th May, in the morning we walked down Alexander Close, along Stockton Road and up Stoneybrough Lane to the path across the fields to South Kilvington. We then walked back to the main road and back to Thirsk on the cycle/pedestrian path. After collecting my paper at the filling station on Long Street, we walked back up St. Mary's walk and back home. In the afternoon we walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, through the fields between South Dowber Lane and the dual carriageway and back home via Favenfield Road, Dowber Way and St. Mary's Walk. I walked 9.30km, taking my total so far to 145.38km.
In the morning of 16th May, I walked down to the Doctors' Surgery in Thirsk to give a routine blood sample, then walked home again. We drove to Swinsty Reservoir and after lunch walked the path around the reservoir. We heard a cuckoo singing, which was not only the first one that I had heard this year but the first for many years! We also saw several families of little ducklings swimming around with their mothers on the water. Today I walked 11.11km, taking my total so far to 136.08km.
On 15th May, in the morning we walked down the footpath from Fairfield to Stockton Road, along to Stammergate , then St James Green and along the riverside footpath to Ingramgate, along William's Close to Sowerby Flatts, alongside the East side of the river to and over the bridge, then back to Chapel Street, through the Nursery car park to Finkle Street, through the Little 3 yard to Waterside, Millgate, the picnic site, white bridge and Stammergate to the filling station for my paper. I then returned into town to see Steve the barber, who has recently moved into new premises behind the artificial tan studio, for a haircut, then I returned home. In the afternoon we followed the same route to Stammergate, then across the playing field from the white bridge, through Carr's Field, alongside Cod Beck to the path up to Stockton Road, then back home via Alexander Close. I walked 10.52km today, taking my total so far to 124.97km, very nearly half way to my 250km target!
Wednesday 14th May was again shopping day. In the morning, I drove to Sowerby Road while Judith walked with Zak. I walked on the path across Sowerby Flatts to meet Judith and Zak and we walked back to the car. We drove to Tesco and then to the Market Place where I walked across to Boots and back to the car, then left Judith to continue shopping while I walked with Zak, on Millgate, through the picnic site, over the white bridge, along Stammergate, Stockton Road and up the footpath to Fairfield and home. In the afternoon we walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, through the fields between South Dowber Lane and the dual carriageway and back on Favenfield Road, Dowber Way and St. Mary's Walk to return home. I walked 5.34km, taking my total so far to 114.45km.
On 13th May, in the morning we walked along Alexander Close, Stockton Road, over the bridge over Whitelass Beck and on the footpath across the field to Cod Beck. Then we walked alongside Cod Beck, over the Bridge by the weir across the Holmes, alongside Cod Beck to the white bridge, then along Stammergate, up St. Mary's Walk and back home. After lunch we drove to Ripon to go to the dentist. We walked from the car to the dentist, then up to the Market Place and back to the parked car. Later in the afternoon, we walked up the fields to South Dowber Lane, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home along Stockton Road and Alexander Close. I walked 8.54km, taking my total so far to 108.11km.
On 12th May in the morning we walked through the Millennium Green, across Dowber Way and South Dowber Lane, through the fields alongside the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home along Stockton Road and Alexander Close. At lunchtime, I walked to St. Mary's Church for my 2 hour 'welcoming' slot, then walked back home. Later in the afternoon we walked through the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, turned right along South Dowber Lane and then back home via Favenfield Road, South Dowber Way and St. Mary's Walk. I walked 8.50km today, making my total so far 99.57km.
Today I walked 10.22km, making my total so far 91.07km.
11th May was a Sunday. In the morning I walked down to the service at St. Mary's Church and back. In the afternoon we went up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, across the bridge over the dual carriageway, round half the large field on the far side of the dual carriageway, going on the path across the middle of the field and across to Hag Lane, down Hag Lane to the path back past Pasture House Farm and back over the bridge, to south Dowber Lane and through the fields back home.
In the morning on 10th May we walked down to and across the white bridge, along the riverside path to Kirkgate and along Kirkgate to the path through Acres Yard and to and across Castle Garth and to Sowerby Flatts. We walked across Sowerby Flatts to Cod Beck, across the bridge and back to town along the East side of the river, along the riverside path to St James Green, along Stammergate and back home. In the afternoon we again walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, down Stoneybrough Lane, along Stockton Road and Alexander Close back home. My distance walked today was 9.63km, taking my total so far to 80.85km.
On 9th May we started by walking down to the filling station on Long Street and home again to collect our papers. We then drove to Rievaulx, walked around the Abbey, experienced the recently added labyrinth in the cloister then had lunch. After lunch we walked on footpaths through fields and woodland from Rievaulx to Bow Bridge and Ashberry, then back to Rievaulx. On the drive home we stopped in Helmsley for refreshing Brymor ice creams. It had been a lovely, sunny day for our walk. I walked 9.19km today, taking my total so far to 71.22km.
In the morning of May 8th Judith was busy elsewhere, so Zak and I walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, over the bridge over the dual carriageway and all the way round the large field on the far side of the dual carriageway and retraced our steps to come home. In the afternoon all three of us walked along Stockton Road, over the bridge over Whitelass Beck, left down the footpath across the fields to Cod Beck, back along Cod Beck, over the bridge by the weir, across the Holmes, to the white bridge and back along Stammergate and back home. I walked 10.79km today, taking my total so far to 62.03km.
Congratulations! This activity has reached 50% of its target of £700.00
May 7th was shopping day! In the morning I walked with Zak to Tesco via the white bridge, along the riverside path and through Castle Garth to meet up with Judith and our car. After Tesco we drove to the Market Place, I left Judith to continue shopping while Zak and I walked home via Millgate, the picnic site and back over the white bridge. In the afternoon we again walked through the Millennium Green, the fields alongside the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane and back home. I walked 7.87km, taking my total so far to 51.24km.
On 6th May, in the morning we walked to Sowerby Flatts, along the east side of Cod Beck, across the foot bridge, back to town, along Castlegate and Kirkgate, back alongside Cod Beck and the White Bridge, up Stammergate and back home. In the afternoon we again walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane and back via Stoneybrough Lane, Stockton Road and Alexander Close. The total distance walked today was 8.86km, making the total so far 43.37km.
On 5th May the walking was local again. In the morning we walked up the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane, down Stoneybrough Lane, Stockton Road, Alexander Close and home. I walked down to St. Mary's Church to do my weekly two-hour slot of 'welcoming', then back home. Later in the afternoon we did the walk through the Millennium Green, through the fields alongside the dual carriageway, then, as this morning, Stoneybrough Lane, Stockton Road, Alexander Close and home. This totalled 9.00km today and a total so far of 34.51km.
On Sunday 4th May I walked to church and back. Later in the afternoon, we walked to South Kilvington across the fields from Stoneybrough Lane and back on the track past Pasture House Farm on the far side of the dual carriageway, then across the bridge onto South Dowber Lane and through the fields back to Fairfield and home. The total distance for the day was 8.26km, making my total distance walked so far 25.51km.
May 3rd was another day of watching cricket at Headingley. This time I walked round the ground 3 times during the lunch interval and once more during the tea interval but I did not have quite as far to walk from my car to the ground and back today. My total for the day was 5.00km, making my total so far 17.25km. I will have to walk further each day next week!
On 2nd May I have been to Headingley, watching Yorkshire play Warwickshire in the County Cricket Championship, so my walking has been limited to walking from my parked car to the ground and back, walking around the ground at the lunch and tea intervals and also watering plants in the garden after returning home. This has amounted to 4.54km, making my total so far 12.25km.
I have started my 250k in May challenge on 1st May. I did two local dog walks. In the morning we walked through the Millennium Green, across Dowber Way and South Dowber Lane, through the fields next to the dual carriageway, down Stoneybrough Lane, along Stockton road to the filling station for my paper and then back home. In the evening we walked up through the fields from Fairfield to South Dowber Lane and again down Stoneybrough Lane, along Stockton Road, along Alexander Close and back home. The total distance walked was 7.71 km.
Congratulations! This activity has received its first donation!