A PERSHORE man is walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall next week to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice after the care his wife received.

John Weight aims to walk the length of the wall in five days, beginning at Bowness on Wednesday, August 4 and ending at Wallsend the following Sunday.

He will be joined on his marathon hike by friend Jim McBride, whose wife Janis McBride will be transporting luggage between the hotels.

John said: “We are walking the wall in aid of St Richard’s who looked after my wife Rosalind when she was very ill last year.

“August 4 is the anniversary of Ros’ birthday, so that’s when we’ll be setting off.

 

Johns late wife Ros

John's late wife Ros

 

“Last year was the worst year of my life and it wasn’t because of Covid. Ros was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in January 2020 and passed away in May.

“She bravely decided not to go along the path of chemotherapy, but instead spend as much time as she could with her daughter, grandchildren, family and vast number of friends.

“This proved to be a blessing for us all as we got to spend quality time talking, reminiscing, laughing and joking during her last weeks in the beautiful garden she had nurtured and loved.

“She painlessly passed away in her own home with the wonderful support of St Richard’s hospice; who supported her as well as me, with ceaseless compassion, sensitivity and care – facilitated by the two wonderful nurses who will always fondly be remembered as the two Sues!”

John has a target of £10,000 and has already passed £1,800 with an event planned in Fladbury, riverboat trips with donations and other help.

And to make sure the walk goes without a hitch, Charley, of DNA Fitness in Pershore, has been been running their fitness programme.

John's Justgiving fundraising page was one the most successul in the country last mont. For further information or to donate, go to justgiving.com/fundrasing/john-weight-jim-mcbride1