Happy New Year everyone! A very chilly walk today with some bits like an ice rink 😂.
Thanks to Kathleen for the lovely foot artwork and walking Lola with me ♥️
Barefoot Walk
Andy Neale is raising money for DEBRA
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My story
In July 2026 I have decided to walk barefoot from my home in Basingstoke to the DEBRA head office in Bracknell to raise money in support of those suffering with EB, an excruciating condition which currently has no cure.
EB is short for epidermolysis bullosa. Inherited EB is a group of rare and incredibly painful genetic skin conditions that cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch. With skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wings, EB is often referred to as ‘butterfly skin’.
The route I am walking will cover approximately 22.97 miles (35km) and likely take me over 10 hours to complete.
The pain I will undoubtedly feel during the walk will be nothing compared to the unimaginable suffering those with EB face every single day.
Through undertaking this challenge I want to raise awareness of EB through you my family and friends as well as through your friends and family too. Together we can all help make a difference!
Some of you may know how big a challenge this is for me not only doing barefoot but given my heart condition and the possibility of facing triggers that cause me to blackout (collapse). At times along the way I am going to have to dig deep and push on to the finish.
Over the coming months I will share training videos, details of the route and more updates.
Any donation no matter how big or small will mean so very much!
Thank you!
Andy ♥️
For more information about EB. please see the link below.
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB): symptoms, treatment, and care | DEBRA UK
If you have been inspired and want to get involved please see the link below.
Thank you for checking out my page. Making a donation is fast, easy and secure thanks to Give as you Live Donate. They'll take your donation and pass it onto DEBRA.
My updates
Another training walk today! Really enjoyed it and went both further and quicker 😃. Feet like blocks of ice by the end though! 🥶😂 Thanks for all the donations 🙌
Tough surface today…hard, uneven, loose stones and lots of debris. Still feeling festive! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!🎅🏻♥️
Training going well and managed some testing surfaces along the way today. Had my Tetanus booster too 💉😊
Second training walk went well. Feet very cold 🥶. Thank you for all the donations so far! 😊
Charity
DEBRA
Charity number: 1084958
Recent donations
Gavin Differ
£30.00
+ £7.50 Gift Aid
Good luck Andy!
Carolyn Neale
£100.00
Every step you take makes a difference . This will be an immense personal challenge 2026.
Kim F
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Amazing Andy !! Wishing you all the best (and a lovely pedicure at the end!) Kim x
Malcolm Neale
£100.00
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
Andy, I'm so proud of you for taking on this personal challenge to raise funds for a well deserving charity you are so invested in and that does such good work to help others in need. I'll be with you every 'step' of the way! If your target of £1,000 is beaten I'll donate another £5 a mile (I'm old school). Good luck.
Zoe Merriman
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck Andy!
Julia Brooksbank
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck Andy! I'm going to make sure we have some of our best socks ready for you at the end of this! :-)
Simon Jones
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Wow! I know how much of a challenge this will be for you. Amazing Best of luck!
Elizabeth Jane Darke
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
WOW good luck Andy
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