2023 a year when I had a big birthday (you know one of those with a 0),but it's also 5 years since I had a stroke and was diagnosed with various other medical conditions. So 2023 a year for change!. In November 2022 I was honoured to be invited to the Cheshire Scouts Awards Presentation at Parr Hall, Warrington to see my son receiving two awards. The programme stated that an inspirational speech would be given and I have to say my initial reaction was Yawn not another boring 'Inspirational Speaker', well how wrong was I (Enter stage left Mr Steve Hill MBE). I will not recount Steve's talk here for fear of not doing it the justice it deserves, but I sat there enthralled and at that moment the seed was sown.
But where to begin? Given my health concerns I couldn't attempt any of the adventures undertaken by Steve (Mount Kilimanjaro, Trekking 200 miles through the Sahara Desert, Completing the Arctic Ice Ultra, Completing the Uganda Marathon to name but a few. For further information Check out Steve's Website Steve Hill MBE
Sadly my Father-in-law passed away suddenly in September 2022 this had already sparked a conversation about raising some money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Moving forward a few months I came up with the idea of Challenge 23 where if all goes to plan I will undertake a series of long distance walking challenges.
To date there are four challenges planned or being planned for 2023 and these will take place in April, August, November and one challenge throughout the year. All challenges are self-funded so every pound raised through sponsorship will be donated to the chosen charity(s)
BREAKING NEWS - 200 miles in two weeks
(10 days walking)
Starting on the 18th August I will be walking the Anglesey Coastal Path 140 miles approx taking 7 days, I will then travel back home for a couple of rest days before traveling down to Suffolk taking 3 days to complete the Suffolk costal path approx 60 to finish in Oulton Broad on Friday 1st September which would have been my Farther-inlaw's birthday
Charities for this challenge will be as previously East Anglian Air Ambulance, Team Hill Charitable Trust plus Brereton Scout Group (South West Cheshire) with all donations being divided between them. All previous donations for A Bimble for Bill will be caried forward.
August 2023 (see above) - A Bimble for Bill* 
The Suffolk Coastal Path is approx 60 Miles long starting in Felixstowe and ending in Lowestoft, I say approx because depending on coastal errosion and tides there are some in-land diversions. My planned route will actually end in Oulton Broad a favourite family location.To make this more of a challenge I will be walking the entire route over just 3 days, so around 20 miles per day
Charities for this event are the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Team Hill Charitable Trust.
*- A bimble is a leisurely walk or journey
August 2023 (see above) - A Welsh Wander
Planning is still currently underway for this challenge; however as part of this challenge I will be trying to learn to speak basic welsh. It is envisaged that the route will be between 120-150 miles and will be completed in 7 days
11th November 2023- Eleven, Eleven 
Raising money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal I will walk for 11 hours on the 11th November. No route plan for this other than to remain safe most of the walk will be on canal tow paths
Charity for this event will be the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Feb-Dec 2023 - Virtual Lands End to John O'Groats 
1083 Miles to be covered during the year, updates will be posted here and on Twitter
Charity for this challenge The Stroke Association as 4th June 2023 will be 5 years since I became a stroke survivor.
Full details of how to sponsor me for each challenge will be posted here when available. In the mean-time should you wish to sponsor me please do not hesitate to get in touch for bank account or paypal details. If you know me then I will always accept cash.
A Bimble for Bill - Sponsor Form
Just Giving Page - Lands End to John O'Groats
Challenge 23 is completley voluntary, self-financed, but I would like to that the following people without their support this would not be possible.
Special Thanks to:-
My support team (Family)
Seed Training (1st Aid Training) www.seed-training.co.uk
2M Training (Level 3 Award in Education and Training) www.2mtraining.co.uk
Mr Steve Hill MBE www.stevehillmbe.com
Gorsgoch Farm for making room for us during the challenge
All of my friends and family who will get sick of hearing about these challenges over the next year
All of my sponsors and supporters
These photograhs have been taken during my training sessions and will be updated as the challenges progress.
