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!
D-9
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.
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
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
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!
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!!).
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.
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.
In honour of...
I just sponsored myself and did not get the chance to add why.
Six miles
Six miles run this morning. Locked myself out!Solved that problem and getting fitter.
Update 15 April 2024
Training going well.Thank you to my Sponsors
£220
Roger J Cairns
£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!
Good luck! You'll need a good pair of knees for the Pyrenees!