Oxford Canal Charity Walk

Oxford Canal Charity Walk to support Young Dementia UK
     Finished on 1st January 2019

Harold Jerred organised a 77 miles walk along the Oxford Canal path from the centre of Oxford to Hawkesbury Junction (a little north of Coventry) raising funds for Young Dementia UK.

The walk was completed on New Year’s Day after a series of 12 walks of between 3 and 11miles each section, over a period of 17 months.

The walk was started with Tony in August 2017 as part of regular walks in the Oxfordshire area.

After the 3rd walk (from Upper Heyford onwards) it was decided to get Young Dementia on board.

The view was that as well as Tony continuing his passion of walking, there was an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and at the same time supporting the charity by setting up a Virgin Money website. The original target for this was £500 and the total now is about £1500 with a few further donations coming in.

Tony completed well over half of the distance – he walked from the start at Oxford to the village of Marston Doles near Leamington Spa – a great achievement.

The event was supported by friends and family and members of the Rotary Clubs of Banbury, Southam and Eynsham. Many thanks to all who took part.

I will have a lot of memories of this event including:

• Tony often setting a fast walking pace on many of the sections, leaving many walkers in his wake and seldom checking if they were keeping up!
• Taking tea with a certain Lady Shuckburgh
• Finding a new route between Oxford and Coventry, much slower than rail or road but much more relaxing – if you like walking.

Many thanks to all our supporters.