Nigel Cairns

The Frontline Walk 2024: The Pyrenees

We Escaped!

As many of you know, I like long distance walking. For many years, I thought that if the opportunity arose to walk in the footsteps of the brave souls who escaped over the Pyrenees in World War Two, I would love to attempt it.

Well, we did it!

I took part in the Frontline Walk: The Pyrenees. We escaped over the Pyrenees, reaching an ascent of 2367m, following the escape route used by Jewish refugees and allied servicemen during World War Two.

We commemorated the sacrifices and bravery of these individuals in their fight for freedom, whilst helping to support the soldiers and veterans of today.

The Army Benevolent Fund is the National Charity of the British Army. They support soldiers, veterans and their families when they need it most.

Please help me raise the final funds to reach my £5,000 target.

My Achievements

Raised £0

Raised £100

Raised £250

Raised £500

Raised £1,000

Raised £1,500

Raised £2,000

Raised £3,000

Raised £5,000

Raised £10,000

Raised £20,000

Raised £40,000

Raised £60,000

Raised £80,000

Raised £100,000

My Updates

D-7

7 Days until we start our Escape across the Pyrenees from Mont Louis in France to Ripoll in Catalonia.

5 mile trail run today. In the rain! Last run before the walk. Walking training only from now until then. Rucksack is packed.

Thank you to all of you who have sponsored me and supported Army Benevolent Fund. Together we have raised over £3,000 of my £5,000 target for the Army Benevolent Fund. For soldiers, for life.

No gift too small to help a soldier stand tall...again

#proudtohaveserved #veteransupport

D-8

8 days until we start Escaping!
Rowed this morning at Marlow Rowing Club.

D-9

In 9 Days we start our Escape.
Tapering off training now. Rowing today.

Below is a photo of Neil and me when we met during the Olympic Games in Paris.

D-10

In 10 days we start our Escape through the Pyrenees. Raising £5,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund. (£7,700 between us)

 

Final training and packing this week.

I’ll post more escape stories and information about our escape through the week.

 

Following the escape route of a pilot, Chalky White. Raising funds to support soldiers, veterans, and their families in their hour of need.

No gift too small to help a soldier stand tall… again.

Please help me to exceed my £5,000 target, if you can. 

Cambrian Way - with Guy Anstiss

I have been way on hols. Time to update you on our Cambrian adventure.
Train was late into Barmouth and we set off at about 1600 on a very humid day. At 1800 the cloud base was dropping, the wind was increasing, rain was on the way and we were moving onto a ridge. Tactical decision to pitch camp on the reverse slope, minimising wind exposure. I was sure my tent was going to be blown away in the night! 2 miles done.
Next day we walked for 14 hours including stops. This was tough walking, twelve miles through the Rhinogs in Wales taking in 1700m of ascent over 3 peaks with 18kg on our backs. The descents were steep, and treacherous in places. Good practice for the Pyrenees. Weather was hot with excellent visibility. Navigation required, tricky in places.
We got to the camp site in twilight. An honesty box system for booking. We asked a chap if we could camp next to his family and we had a chat about where we had come from that day.
About 10 minutes later it was pitch black as we started to pitch tents. The same fellow appeared with sausages cooked on an open fire and a large whisky for each of us. Truly the fairy godfather. Thank you, Lee. The kindness of strangers: so uplifting.
The wind was coming in over the next 24 hours, up to 60 miles an hour on top. So we asked Lee for a lift to Porthmadog the next day where we holed up until taking the coastal path to Harlech a couple of days later. The path was idyllic with views over the estuary to Port Meirion and the approach to Harlech with the castle looming ever larger, spectacular.
From Harlech we caught the train home.
Not what was planned, but challenges overcome, and that's why we call it adventure!

If you'd like to help me raise £5,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, No gift too small to help a soldier stand tall...again.

Cambrian Way

Here we are leaving home to travel to Barmouth and start our first leg of the Cambrian Way.
Thanks to Guy Anstiss for joining me to train for the Army Benevolent Fund Front Line Walk: Pyrenees Escape.
More details of our adventures over the next few days.

Training Walk 16 miles 16kg

Running, Walking, Rowing

Happy Friday!
I have run this week. I have rowed and swum (involuntary). Thames is warmer now!
Walking training tomorrow on the Chiltern Way with buddy from London OTC days more than 30 years ago.
Must take some photos!
If you haven't sponsored me yet, remember No gift too small to help a solider stand tall...again.
HAGW everybody

Running and Rowing

Training is going well. Last week I rowed 4 sessions on the Thames and one ergo.  Improving slowly (from a low level!!).
I walked 20 miles over two sessions last week with full pack. Second time I got soaked!
Ran 6 miles today. So I am getting in better shape. 
Thank you to all who have sponsored me so far.
If you haven't , there's still time. No gift too small to help a solider stand tall...again.

Training and Fundraising

Training continues with a tough ten mile trail run last weekend. 11 miles of trail running so far this week plus a half hour, a session on the ergo and a session rowing on the Thames. Longer run tomorrow.
I have purchased some branded ABF kit to keep getting the word out. Photos at a later date.
I have requested collecting tins and some other goodies to raise money in my village.
Almost half way to the target figure now and just over 2 months to go!

Hotels and flights booked

The hotels and flights are booked!
For the Frontline Walk through the Pyrenees I have teamed up with an old friend.
We have booked and paid for our flights and hotels.
Here’s a couple of photos of me before doing a very hot 10km in Cookham last weekend.
Have a great Bank Holiday weekend in the UK and a great weekend elsewhere.
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In honour of...

I just sponsored myself and did not get the chance to add why.
It is in honour of a friend's father whose funeral was yesterday. I enjoyed his company.
Peter Darroch Snr of the Royal Army Medical Corps, I salute you. Rest in Peace.

Six miles

Six miles run this morning. Locked myself out!
Solved that problem and getting fitter.
Hope the warmer weather continues.

Update 15 April 2024

Training going well.
Learn to Row course starts tomorrow! First time in my life.
Fitness will help with the challenge - especially cardio vascular and leg strength.
Thanks to all who have sponsored me so far. 
Two entered the Easter egg raffle on Facebook. Pat won and had me send the egg to his Mum!
Hugs.
More soon.
Mad Mule

Thank you to my Sponsors

£220

Roger J Cairns

Good luck! You'll need a good pair of knees for the Pyrenees!

£208

Guy Anstiss

Nigel hope the going and terrain are good to you both. Thanks for doing this for such a good cause. Good luck. Hopefully the preparation has helped. I’m splitting my sponsorship between you and Neil

£205

Paul Zrimsek

£151

Alex Embiricos

To mark their wedding Richard and Liz have suggested we make a donation to the ABF which we are pleased to do. Good luck Nigel and many congratulations Richard and Liz

£104

Stephane Clerc

Dear Nigel, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Claudia and Steph

£104

Chris Grail

Well done Nigel. Super effort for a great cause

£102.50

Catherine Fennell

By way of a personal thank you for all your help recently. :-) Good luck on the exped'.

£100

Amanda Robinson

Good luck!!!!

£100

The Gordon Family

Great challenge for a great cause.

£100

Maddie Winter

Well done Nigel. Lovel Maddie & Auntie Thelma xxx

£100

Long Suffering Wife

Enjoy Darling!!!!!!

£100

Ken Webb

£100

Angela Taylor

All the Best. Top effort.

£100

Phil And Liz Munnery

£52

Jonathan Riley

Good luck with the trek

£52

Liz Morgan

£52

Daud + Magda

Great job Nigel - see you soon for a few in the MRC bar! Best of luck

£52

West Country Telecommunications Limited

March on my friend!!

£52

Matthew Rouse

Best foot forward and good luck.

£52

Richard Fowler

Good Luck Nigel !

£52

Chris Buckenham

£51.25

Gaby Omeara

An epic journey. A brilliant cause.

£51.25

Mark Tomlinson

Good luck mate

£51.25

Paul Lucas

All best wishes for the walk.

£51.25

Patrick

Very best wishes

£51.25

Alan Brown

Bravo Nigel! Good luck , keep us posted

£51.25

Spencer Mannings

Thanks Nige, you know what this means for those helped by the ABF!

£51.25

Holly Young

Go for it, Nigel! You got this...

£51.25

Duncan Capps

Good luck Nigel

£51.25

Matt Sellors - Intuity Solutions

Good luck!

£51.25

Chris Frampton

£51.25

Vivien Neville

An interesting challenge. The views will be spectacular, the effort demanding and you'll have precious memories for life. ¡Buena suerte! et bon courage. Viv

£50

S-j Heany

Go for it Nigel you are amazing !!

£50

Suzie

Well done Nigel

£50

Saul Shanagher

£50

Yasu

Good luck, Nigel!

£50

Ken Webb

£50

Anonymous

Good luck

£50

Al, Bea And Ted

All the very best of luck. We all hope you have a great time.

£50

Stu Butler

You mad bugger! I cycled the Col’s in 2011 and the views are spectacular. Good luck, great cause, fantastic challenge.

£50

Peter Darroch

Good luck Nigel!

£35

Suzy Holmes

So good to catch up with you! Thank you for doing this for the ABF. XX

£32.50

Kirsten Cairns

Good like Nige!!

£31.20

Lucy B

Good Luck Nigel! It is great to be in touch again! Enjoy the challenge and Garde Ta Foy, old friend 😊

£31.20

Angus Barclay

Well done Nigel! My uncle (RAF fighter pilot) escaped by the Chemin de la Liberte and I walked it myself last month.

£31.20

Al And Family

Good Luck, Nigel. A Herculean feat.

£31

Andrew Hall

A good cause & a challenge - go well Nigel!

£31

Rosie Bolton

Good luck Nigel!

£30.75

Tracy W

Brilliant challe ge Nigel, good luck

£30.75

Paula Johnston

Good luck!

£30.75

Ian Carden

Well done Nigel, you're doing a great thing 👍

£30.75

Alisdair Thomson

Great challenge Nigel, something really worthwhile to get into shape for. Good luck in September

£30

Suzanne

Good luck I am sure you will smash it

£30

Cheryl & Geoff

Good luck Nigel, you’ll do amazingly x

£25.63

Nigel Cairns

£25.63

Neil And Jackie

In honour of Elizabeth and Richard tying the knot

£25

Saul Shanagher

£21

Victoria Dick

Good luck! Were it not in term time I would be very tempted to join you.

£21

Lee Bancroft

Well done and have fun....

£21

Lisa W

Looks like an exciting challenge! Good luck!

£20.80

Laura Mason

Well done Superman!!!

£20.80

Julie Hinton

£20.80

Helen Harris

£20.80

Harry Cruickshank

Great effort Nigel - looking forward to hearing about it (and seeing the pics) over lunch on the 21st!

£20.80

Sheila Docker

£20.80

Dave Aitken-moist

Good luck Nigel and enjoy!

£20.80

David Richards

£20.80

Sandy Foster Molloy

Great cause great effort

£20.80

Laurence Snowden

Go for it. Nigel, strong legs for your Bike to Berlin next year.

£20.50

Peter Whitehead

Hi Nigel, all the very best in this endeavour.

£20.50

Warwick & Lorraine

Great cause Nigel good luck

£20

Nigel Cooper

Good luck Nigel.

£20

Rachael Shaw

Go Nigel!!

£20

George Crozier

Good luck

£20

Paul F

£10.40

Margaret Bullock

Well done Nigel! From previous experience, I know how hard it is to train and raise money, and so I hope you reach your target.

£10.40

Verity

Well done, Nigel, on this spectacular challenge for such an incredible cause.

£10.25

Linda Impey

Good luck —great to hear from you please do keep in touch.

£10.25

Justin Paul

Hi Nigel, sounds like a fantastic plan. You should get Pete Darroch to go with you. He's a man of leisure. I hope you'll be doing it disguised as an onion seller. BR, Justin

£10

Peter Leadbetter

Good luck with this one!

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