Easingwold Leukaemia Survivor Urges Yorkshire Residents To Join Walk To Beat Blood Cancer

NEW PRESS RELEASE.

Easingwold leukaemia survivor Harvey Greenwood is urging people from across Yorkshire to step up for a five-kilometre sponsored walk through York to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The 39-year-old, who has walked hundreds of miles to support groundbreaking research into blood cancers, is inviting people of all ages to join him for the York Forget Me Not Walk on Sunday 3 October and help the charity find better treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Harvey was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in March 2001, a moment he describes as “the most frightening time of my life”. Fortunately, Harvey responded well to Imatinib, a drug developed through research, and is now able to manage the disease by taking daily medication.

Determined to ensure that other patients continue to have access to the best possible treatments, Harvey joined cricket legend Sir Ian Botham on his 25th Anniversary walk to beat childhood leukaemia earlier this year, and completed a gruelling 270-mile trek along the Pennine Way in June, raising a combined total of £7,500 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Now Harvey is stepping out for the York Forget Me Not Walk on Sunday 3 October with his wife Fiona and daughters, and asking other families to join them in walking to beat blood cancers.

Harvey says: ”Every mile I’ve walked for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research has been about giving something back and making sure other patients benefit from the chances I’ve had. It’s vital that everyone diagnosed with one of these diseases has access to the best possible treatments.

Sign up and join us for the York Forget Me Not Walk. Everyone is welcome; it’s not competitive, so you can take in the historic sites at your own pace, and help make a difference to the lives of patients and families touched by blood cancers.”

On the day, walkers will set out from the York Castle Museum at 10am at a leisurely pace. The five-kilometre route will take participants through the centre of the historic city passing the iconic Gothic Minster before returning to the museum, where walkers can collect a well-earned medal.

Those wishing to join in should contact James Wright on 020 7269 9006 or visit www.forgetmenotwalks.com. The entry fee is £7.50 for adults, £5 for children aged 12 or under, and just £20 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. The fee includes a t-shirt and medal.

Day 21 – Pennine Way – Clennell Street to Kirk Yetholm – The Final Step

With camp set up right next to the path on Clennell Street the stunning views and sunny evening turned at around 10pm into strong winds and cloud which would stay with us all night ensuring little sleep was had by all!

The temperature dropped showing that even in June the weather can change rapidly in the hills.

Camp was broken at 8am in howling winds to the point you could not feel your hands with the cold when trying to pack up the tents.

A swift getaway was in order to try and warm up and get the final 14 miles covered.

Paul and David decided to add The Cheviot top to their route so we arranged to rendezvous in the mountain refuge hut below The Schill to stay out of the strong winds.

With much needed sustinence taken on board in the rattling shelter, it was once again out into the wilds for the sharp pull up The Schill.

A swift pace took us to the finger post where the decision was taken to take the high route in to Halterburn giving us great panoramic views as the sun began to shine for the final stretch.

As we turned a corner we could see a surprise welcoming committee in the distance on the top of the hill which brought it home that we had nearly reached the end goal.

A great reception of family and friends greeted the Magnificent Six and the final mile over the hill from Halterburn to Kirk Yetholm was a procession of walkers and cars to finally drop down onto the green outside the Border Hotel – the end of the Pennine Way.

With a photoshoot done it was into The Border for the celebratory drink and signing of the Pennine Way log book and the finishing party began which took us across to Town Yetholm for a meal at The Plough with a gang of 40 family and friends.

A great finish to a gruelling 21 days but worth every step.

Day 18 / 19 – Pennine Way – Bellingham to Byrness

Day 18 rest day in Bellingham was a mixture in terms of a result.

The Cheviot Hotel ensured a restful stop however Wednesday’s in Bellingham are not a hive of activity.

Bellingham is a lovely village however it is somewhat of a one horse town.

A couple of shops, the walking kit shop closed down, and three pubs that seem to open on 1980’s licensing hours ensure very little to do unlike Hawes on our first rest day.

The long day was broken by the arrival of long time friends Steve and Rich whom arrived to walk the final three day 43 miles into Kirk Yetholm.

A fantastic show of support I will always be grateful for.

The evening meal in the Rose and Crown was hearty and was punctuated by a surprise entrance from Fred, the Lands End to John O’Groats walker we had previously left at Hebden Bridge.

With tales told of how heavy Steve and Rich’s rucksacks were and what they should do to cut some backpack weight (the kitchen sink and 1000 page book was a tad OTT!) we headed off and arranged a 9:00am start the following day.

The warmest day yet ushered in Day 19 with a 15 mile hike to Bryness.

The walk itself was very much a link walk – getting across to be able to do The Cheviot – a rather uninspiring trek over farms and the Kielder Forest.

This was however a good warm up for Steve and Rich with (over) full packs – a taste of what attrition backpacking takes on feet and limbs.

With a couple of miles left on the day the mileage started to tell on the new arrivals whilst Paul and I were very much in the groove on one of the least testing walks of The Way so far.

Forest View (the old Youth Hostel) at Byrness were our beds for the night, and a delightfully sunny evening ensured a couple of coolers and homecooked evening meal were taken in the garden before retiring to sort out our wild camping rucksacks for the following day.

240 miles done, 2 days and 28 miles and 1 wild camp to go. 🙂

Day 18 – Pennine Way – Bellingham Rest Day!

Wednesday a rest day, Steve and Rich joining us for the last 3 days.

Full update with Day 19 walk!

Day 16 – Pennine Way – Greenhead to Twice Brewed – 200 miles done!

Greenhead Youth Hostel was a surprise. It seems it is no longer running under the YHA however still operates under the running of Greenhead Inn across the road.

The sign on the Youth Hostel door of ‘Please check in at the Inn’ gave us hope of an upgrade and we were not disappointed!

A cosy ensuite with TV and pub grub for dinner with the World Cup on rose our spirits after a sodden, tough day 15.

So after a cosy B&B at YHA prices it was off on the shortest day on route, a loosener of 7 miles over Hadrians Wall.

The weather had dried to give perfect walking conditions giving rise to views back to Cross Fell which we had crossed two days prior, and northerly views to the Cheviot which is where we are heading in the next couple of walk days.

The walk itself was somewhat of an ‘A’ road after days of walking and not seeing many people.

A mixture of day trippers and many walkers walking the whole Hadrians Wall (only 70 miles!) meant a host of ‘hello’s’ along the route.

The wall is a fine walk. It is constant up and downs with some quite sharp pulls up to get the muscles moving, all worth it for the views.

The 200 mile watershed was celebrated with a cooler in Twice Brewed Inn half a mile off route before heading to our stop for the night at Saughy Rigg, another mile off track, so some more miles in the ‘extras’ column.

With a 16 miler tomorrow before rest day a restful evening beckons!

205 miles done!

Day 14 – Pennine Way – Dufton to Alston – The Big One

An early start with a hearty Dufton YHA breakfast ushered in walk day 13 with the anticipation of the biggest Pennine Way day so far with a 20 mile hike over 4 peaks including the highest point on the Way – Cross Fell.

Daytrippers David and Una were on catch up as Paul and I left 8:30am on the dot.

Perfect walking weather of light cloud, dry with a light wind encouraged our walk out of Dufton around Dufton Pike and onwards to Knock Fell.

The daytrippers soon caught up with us (even after a southern detour of the Pennine Way on starting!).

The views from Knock Fell were fantastic with a clear vista across our path ahead and 180° views across to the Lake District.

Moving swiftly across the ridge Great Dun Fell was soon conquered and lunch taken beside the radar station (Helens packed lunch carried by David was very welcome!) with stunning views across to the Dales we had left behind days ago.

Another quick step saw us top Little Dun Fell and then dip through Tees Head and climb the scree to top Cross Fell – the highest point of the Pennine Way.

This was another watershed moment for us made even better with 360° views as far as the eye could see including the Cheviot in the distance to which we have to head towards and climb.

The descent to Garrigill is a long trudge over a painful stoned track, sore feet all round!

The final 5 miles down the valley to Alston was very pleasant although tired legs, knees and feet ensured the view was not necessarily the main thing on our minds!

Alston became an oasis in view and coolers were taken as throbbing feet took hold.

So the Pennine Way Challenge team delivered our Big Game result – just a shame England didn’t in their first game at the World Cup!

Now less than 90 miles to go – total walked so far 180 miles.

Day 12 – Pennine Way – Clove Lodge to Langdon Beck

After a full wet day from Tan Hill Inn the decision to upgrade from camping to B&B at Clove Lodge Farm was a great decision.

We ended up in the cottage with full living room, dining room, kitchen to add to the bathroom and beds. RESULT!

Carol and Chris the hosts were fantastic and made us feel very welcome. A definite recommend!

Day 12 started in cool, overcast conditions again.

The 15 mile step for the day started with a couple of moderate ups and downs over farmland and between reservoirs and around Harter Fell which opened up in to a great view of Teesdale looking down to Middleton in Teesdale.

Once the descent to the valley floor had been made it was a very pleasant walk along the River Tees for the afternoon.

Lunch was taken sat on the riverbank before heading up the valley to pass Low Force and then on to the fantastic High Force which was in full flow after 4 days of rain.

The remaining part of todays journey was then made along the riverside with a final step to Langdon Beck Youth Hostel – another tranquil spot in a remote area.

Teesdale has shown a real change in scenery. Gone are the barns of the Yorkshire Dales replaced by the white washed cottages distinctive of the dale.

My feet are still causing problems but are under control, Pauls knee is much the same and we both feel strong otherwise.

The next few days are going to be testing and more remote so lets hope the feet and knees hold up!

Day 11 – Pennine Way – Tan Hill Inn to Clove Lodge Farm, Baldersdale

Last night we retired to bed with the wind and rain lashing against our window. Nothing could be seen outside through the eerily gloomy foggy murkiness and we hoped for better conditions in the morning.

Morning came but the weather hadn’t changed after we’d slightly overslept. A hearty full breakfast was despached greedily in the hope it would prepare us for the journey ahead.

Full waterproofs were donned for the fourth consecutive day, the lambs were dodged in the bar as we set off on our tenth walking day that would see us over the halfway stage.

Having failed to connect with a razor for a few days the intrepid hairy hikers got their first taste of the wilder North Pennines as we left behind the Yorkshire Dales.

Into driving rain, hill fog and wind we set off for Baldersdale on a remote, soggy and isolated trek across Sleightholme Moor.

There was little to be enjoyed on todays march and the theme was to get the job done! Hill fog prevented any chance of enjoying the views and meant navigation required close attention.

The going was sodden, all the water-courses that only a few days ago were dry had now become raging torrents. Harv was quietly biting his lip and seemed to be struggling somewhat today. Later I found he’d developed more blisters, one about the size of a 10p and his knee was also giving him problems. My knee was also painful but nothing I couldn’t cope with for the time being.

We crossed the River Greta via Gods Bridge and crossroad the A66 via a subway. Careful navigation across the next few miles of empty heather and sodden grasses found us at our remote stopover place for the evening – Clove Lodge Farm.

Our b&b accommodation comprised bedroom, kitchen, dining room, sitting room with log fire and a bathroom – definite recommend and worthy of a longer stay if visiting the area.

As I write Harv is getting some shut eye as I eagerly await dinner that’s being prepared for us by our hosts………

Total trail miles – 137

By Paul Courtney.

Day 10 – Pennine Way – Hawes to Tan Hill Inn – Highest Highs

After a welcome rest day in Hawes and lovely hospitality from everyone at the Old Board Inn – a definite recommend for a stopover in Hawes – it was back on The Way again.

New walking trainers on board were tested with a wet start in full wet gear and were to be tested all day.

The long drag out of Hawes, passed Hardraw and up to Great Shunner Fell was made with fleeting showers, summiting the highest point on route so far in good time in cloud but with dry feet!

The descent to Thwaite via a flagged path and drovers road was wet and swift.

With good time made a pleasant stop was made at Keartons for tea and biscuits just as the heavens opened with the heaviest shower of the day arrived – perfect timing!

After the rain subsided the trek continued on a wonderful traverse over to Keld with stunning views down the valley.

Keld was to be our original stop however with the predicted poor weather forecast it was a wise decision to transfer from camping at Keld to a warm room at the Tan Hill Inn – the highest pub in Great Britain at 1732ft – a further 4 miles along the Way.

Continuing in consistent rain the Tan Hill Inn was welcome respite after our highest one day mileage clocked in with 17 miles – a day of highest highs – and dry feet!

Day 8 – Pennine Way – Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes

After a night under canvas at the back on the Golden Lion pub in Horton in Ribblesdale day eight became a game of two halves.

Horton was a hub of activity on our arrival day with a 3 peak challenge event finishing at the pub and an Oxfam endurance event running through the village.

Laying in our tents we were entertained by an impromptu guitar singalong session from the bunkhouse – well at least I was, Paul was asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow!

With camp crashed in the morning Kathleen joined us after a cosy night at Hawes YHA.

Conditions were dry with a forecast of potential showers.

A strong start with full weight packs saw us gradually climb out of Horton on an old drovers trail. A pleasant walk rewarded a few miles up with panoramic views of the 3 peaks – Pen Y Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside with the Ribblehead Viaduct in the valley.

With Kathleen looking after us we had time for both elevenses and lunch, a real treat for Paul and I!

Just before lunch we reached our 100 mile mark which was marked by a photoshoot from Kathleen.

As lunch was finishing the weather came in and wet gear was donned for the afternoon and descent to Hawes.

Three sodden walkers made it into the market place, accommodation at the Old Board Inn Hotel found, to be welcomed by a surprise visit from Fiona and the girls which was fantastic!

Tim and Jon our fellow PWer’s joined us for more tales of the trail and another day was conquered!

Total mileage – 107 miles.