Sandy’s End to End Challenge in memory of her walking buddy Sue.

Walking 874 virtual miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats is no mean feat!  Sandy Childs has always wanted to do the iconic walk in memory of her best friend and walking partner, Sue Starmer who died from terminal cancer 15 years ago, but when the pandemic struck and the second lock-down was announced she decided not to let COVID stop her and set off on the virtual walk in January.

Sandy and Sue met on their 1st day at Kettering High School in 1961.  They clicked instantly and became life-long friends, separated only by miles when Sandy moved away in 1972.  For years their two families would meet up for weekends, go on walking holidays together to France, Wales and Norfolk.  They were in constant contact and were always together for big family occasions.  When Sandy and her family moved back to Kettering they got to see more of each other, eating dinners together most nights.

Sandy said “Sue loved walking! She was a doer and would have loved to be doing this with me now.

“She was one of the healthiest people I knew until she was diagnosed with Cancer.  It was very sad – they found secondary cancer in her liver just 10 days before she died.

“The hospice team were so wonderful with Sue, with all her family and with us.  They even made her curries and garlic flavoured foods so that she could taste something.

“I think of Sue when I’m walking and how she would have enjoyed it.  In the beginning, I was trying to do three miles a day, but I get competitive with myself and do more on some days and I’m hoping to walk the last bit for real in Scotland in September.”

Sandy hopes to raise £500 for Cransley Hospice to support other families and friends requiring end of life care in North Northamptonshire.  If you’d like to help her reach her target, you can donate via her JustGiving page.