Hadrian’s Wall Path

When the Roman Empire decided to build a wall to keep the marauding Pictish Scots out of northern England, they likely didn’t consider that their handiwork would one day form the backdrop for one of the country’s finest walks. Spanning 135km from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria, to appropriately named Wallsend in Tyne and Wear, this moderately challenging National Trail fuses bracing hiking with the cultural heritage for which the UK is famous. Large sections of the wall remain intact, along with a fine museum at the painstakingly excavated Roman fort of Segedunum

 

While serving I won Exercise Yorkshire Canter twice in the eighties, covering 100 miles in 24hrs, carrying full kit and Rifle, changed my socks after the first 60 miles whether they needed it or not, when you do something such as this you just keep your body moving, there's plenty of time to rest at the finish point. I Completed an 85 km X Country Ski marathon in 7hrs 01 min and even managed to run the B.F.T. 1 &1/2 mile backwards in under 11 &1/2 mins, I am coming out of retirement to complete this challenge because I want to "do" something to Support 'The Rifles Charities- Care for Casualties'

 

I want to raise as much money as possible because they are commited to:

1. Caring for members of the 'Rifles family', both those serving and their families.

2. Offer enduring support to injured Soldiers and their families.

3.Continue to fundraise to ensure the Soldiers and their families receive the highest quality care as possible.

This is why I need your help in sponsoring me, any donation will help in maintaining the high care and support that 'Care for Casualties' currently gives out.

THE CHALLENGE

I am going to walk Hadrians wall from Solway Firth in the West to Wallsend in the East, total mileage 84 miles, over undulating ground, unaided, with nil costs, eat on the hoof and complete it in 2 days, oh ! and I will be carrying a kitchen sink on my back and hoping to get sponsorship from B&Q

I have today 9/7/10 had confirmation that B&Q are going to sponsor me and now have the Kitchen sink complete with taps etc. Once I have secured it to my rucksack I will post more photographs wearing the bright orange B&Q apron with my name on it and of course the much sought after Rifles Regimental T Shirt.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far

I have 50 Rifles wrist bands to give out to people I meet along the wall & a Rifles pennant to fly off my rucksack.

Fund raising going well, big effort being carried out by B&Q in Stockton to raise as much cash in the store.

Once again big thanks to all of you for your kind donations.

Tuesday 2nd August 2010

Anyone watching this page will know there are just a few days to go before I set off and a Kitchen sink will be seen being carried along Hadrians wall for probably the first time in its History, wonder what the Romans would think of it ?

Thursday 5th August

I am so grateful for the kind donations that are still coming in with just a couple of days to go,

Thanks to everyone and please tell your friends so that together we can pledge as much money as possible to this worthwhile cause.

Coco

Friday 6th August- 1645hrs

In a little over 12hrs I will be setting off from Bowness on Solway, East Bound, hoping to collect sponsors along the wall, weather will be ideal for the weekend, Sunshine with Showers, post photos Monday once again big thanks for the support from everyone,

Regards,

Coco

Please see press report below

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/08/10/ex-soldier-takes-kitchen-sink-on-charity-trek-72703-27032431/

 

Sunday 15th August

Thank you on behalf of the RIFLES REGIMENT for the continued support, donations coming in every day for this worthwhile Charity.

Coco

 

Wednesday 18th August

I am replying to all that leave their e mail Address to say thank you for your donation and words of encouragement, can't thank you all enough.

Has anyone out there got any suggestions as to what I could do with my Sink, probably the only one in the World that has travelled along that path, raised so much money for so many and after all it has had only one careful owner.

E BAY ???????

Tuesday 31st August 2010

Thank you to everyone supporting this great charity, still getting donations from as far away as Canada and Australia,

Regards,

Coco

Thursday 2nd September 2010

My story has now been put on the Rifles Care for Casualties web site, please see the news page to see how the idea of carrying a sink along Hadrians Wall came about and the ups and downs of this incredible but very funny journey and how I raised shed loads of money just on the Wall alone.

 

Monday 6th September 2010

I have today been approached by a Magazine to have my story entered with the understanding that all of the fee money that I will receive is paid directly into the Rifles Care for Casualties Charity.

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

 

Many thanks to one and all

Coco Cocoran