Stef Etherington - Walking Coast to Coast

As many of you are aware I had two strokes in 2021.  Due to other medical issues many of my symptoms were masked and I ended up being taken to Gloucester Hospital by ambulance on a few occasions.  On each occasion the different ambulance crews were excellent - both with me and my wife Ruth.  Over the next two years superb care and support from the Gloucestershire Stroke team, and Lead Consultant Kate Hellier in particular, saw me undergo a heart procedure before being "signed off" by the Stroke team.
Having witnessed first hand the dedication and professionalism of a range of NHS staff, at a time when they are over-stretched and underpaid, I wanted to give something back. Exactly how was not decided until a drunken day with an old university friend who suggested walking the coast to coast route from St Bees (in the Lake District) to Robin Hood's Bay (on the East coast) a total of 185 miles. I agreed immediately as it ticked a lot of boxes:  It is a difficult walk - hopefully showing that with minor strokes and good care one can complete difficult challenges; it takes in walking across a beautiful part of the country that I love; and it enables me to seek support from family and friends for my chosen charities as I will be putting a lot of effort into the fundraising challenge.
The attempt will be made in the second half of April 2024 with the friend who suggested it!
Mileage per day ranges from 11 to 21...spread over 13 consecutive days.
I appreciate many of us already have charities we support and that the current economic situation is tight.  There is NO expectation of people giving - but if you can, no matter how small an amount, it would be great to help support those working within the NHS and in particular those whose professionalism and caring input I have benefitted from.
The funds raised will go to the Gloucestershire Hospitals "Stroke Services Fund" and the South Western Ambulance Charity "Staying Well Service"