CHARITY WALK

Septuagenarians Trek for 79 Miles

Friends and fellow RCCH members, Anna Hutchings and Linda Smith both from Chichester, embarked on a 79-mile charity walk from Cape Wrath to Lochinvar in North Scotland in June 2023.

To date, the friends have raised nearly £4000, which will be divided between two charities, with the bulk – 75% – heading to Help for Heroes, and the remainder going to local charities that receive support from RCCH.

Anna’s motivation came from her father, Arthur Randall (1910–2003), who fought with the Royal Engineers in Malaysia during World War II and was imprisoned by the Japanese in Changi Prison, Singapore, for three-and-a-half years. Anna said: “My father’s nightmare started with the British Army's surrender to the Japanese in February 1942, and endured until the end of the war, in August 1945. Miraculously – and thankfully – he survived, but a healthy athlete and soldier at the start of the war, he returned home so malnourished, weighing only seven-and-a half stones, that it caused permanent eyesight damage leading to blindness in later life.”

“My Dad suffered from the trauma of war all his life. Post-traumatic stress order (PTSD) was not recognised in 1945. So, my personal RCCH President’s challenge, in memory of my dad, was to complete a 7-day, 70-mile sponsored walk, in the far North of Scotland, to raise funds for Help for Heroes, a charity that does such a wonderful job supporting veterans like my dad.”

Anna continued: “We not only walked 79 miles, but we conquered the coast and some Munros (mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet high) ascending more than 13,000 feet during the 7 days. We called it a walk, but it was definitely no stroll in the park. It was hard at times and energy-sapping, but a great experience for two old biddies in their 70s – and not a blister between us.”

John Carpenter, Help for Heroes’ area fundraising manager, was himself undertaking a fundraiser in France – while Anna and Linda were tracking the wilds of Scotland – riding more than 300 miles in 5 days as part of the charity's Big Battlefield Bike Ride. John commented: “I certainly think I had it easier. Anna and Linda's achievement is amazing, and I'm sure Arthur would be immensely proud of his daughter for what she has managed, and that she has chosen to support his fellow veterans with a kind donation, which comes at a vital time for us, at a time when demand for our support services is growing, yet our income has reduced by more than half since 2014.”