A FORMER communications manager for the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has passed the halfway mark in his quest to walk 630 miles along the entire South West Coast Path to raise money for two local charities that support cancer patients and their families.
Jim Bray, who worked at the Trust for four years before leaving in May to take up the eight-week challenge, has raised around £6,000 so far for Over and Above and FORCE and has attracted hundreds of followers on Facebook and Twitter with his daily photo albums and updates.
The trek, entitled Jim’s Journey, started at Minehead in Somerset on Friday 10 June and is due to finish at Poole Harbour in Dorset on Thursday 4 August.
By that time the 36-year-old will have climbed more than 115,000 feet (nearly four times the height of Mount Everest), crossed 288 bridges, caught 13 ferries, passed around 3,500 coast path signs and gone up or down over 30,000 steps.
He recently reached the South West Coast Path halfway marker at Porthallow, near Falmouth.
“It has been an amazing experience so far and some of the scenery is breathtaking,” said Jim, who lives in Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton.
“I’m particularly fond of high green cliffs, some of which are so pretty it’s as if they’ve been created by an artist or sculptor.
“There are so many things to like about the coastline and each day brings something new, whether it’s rugged cliffs, interesting rock formations, headlands that jut into the sea, golden sandy beaches, inaccessible little coves, nice harbours, birds, wildlife, colourful flora and fauna or boats of all shapes and sizes.
“The best views often mean tougher walking, whether it’s crossing deep, steep valleys, climbing hundreds of steps or clambering over rocks, but it’s all been worth it.
“I’ve got through two pairs of walking boots but have managed to stay fairly healthy apart from a sprained left foot for a few days, swollen ankles throughout one walk in North Devon, a touch of sunburn and a few aches, pains, insect bites and stings.
“Your feet do get sore at times but they’ve been feeling better of late thanks to a combination of foot cream, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.
“I’ve also managed to stay relatively dry, apart from one or two exceptions, and it’s helped that most of the time it hasn’t been too hot.
“I’m particularly proud to have maintained a 100% record of having a full English breakfast every day and of finishing each walk with a pint or bottle of cider in a pub, cafe or hotel overlooking the sea, and taking a photo to prove it.”
Jim said his favourite memories of Somerset and North Devon were Hurlstone Point near Porlock, the Valley of Rocks near Lynton, Little Hangman near Combe Martin, Morte Point near Woolacombe, the large golden sandy beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Westward Ho! and Hartland Point.
He said his highlights in Cornwall were the attractive high cliffs between Bude and Padstow, seeing seals at Godrevy, St Ives Bay, reaching Land’s End, visiting the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno, the Lizard Peninsula, the picturesque coastline around Polperro and catching several ferries.
You can see his daily photo albums on Facebook by searching for Jim’s Journey and his regular updates on Twitter via @Jims_Journey.
To make a donation to the two charities, visit the Virgin Money Giving website and search for Jim Bray.
The money Jim raises for Over and Above will go towards the Seamoor Unit, the new £2.5million chemotherapy and day treatment centre at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.
FORCE helps cancer patients and their families across the region from its Support and Information Centre in the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
For more information, call Jim on 07425 133606 or e-mail him at jims.journey@outlook.com.
