Leukaemia patient embarks on 500-mile charity walk
A leukaemia patient from St Bartholomew’s Hospital is currently on a 500-mile walk across the UK to raise money for Barts Charity and Anthony Nolan Charity.
Julian Goode, 56, aims to raise £10,000 through his six-week coast-to-coast walk; ‘A Really Goode Walk’ across Wales, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland for the charities that supported him through his battle with blood cancer.
Julian said: “Without the amazing care I’ve received from the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Barts over the past three years, plus the donor found by Anthony Nolan, I wouldn’t be here now.
“I can never thank them enough. But this is one thing I can do, both to start to pay them back a bit, and put in place some funds to help those that come after me to also receive the same amazing treatment and care as I have done.”
Julian has been under the care of St Bartholomew’s Hospital since his cancer diagnosis in 2019. After three rounds of chemotherapy, he received a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor found via the Anthony Nolan donor registry.
He planned his sponsored walk when undergoing his treatment, but the pandemic deterred his plans for a further two years.
“The pandemic rather got in the way, and I went down with Covid mid-September, but I was determined not to give up and press on,” Julian added.
In spring 2022, Julian started up as a walk leader with his new venture ‘Goode Walks’, after becoming a Mountain Training-qualified Lowland Leader.
Having started his sponsored walk on 5 October, Julian is currently in Northern Ireland and has raised £2,888 so far.
“My biggest challenge so far has been the terrain. It has been very hilly and having Covid not long ago has put me back fitness wise, but I have learnt not to be too hard on myself. Even though it’s a challenge, my reasons for doing this motivates me, you have to just look up at the view and keep going.
“I have met many people along the way who have inspired me and donated, and I have also been joined by some friends and family along the way, which has uplifted me. I wish to thank everyone who has donated and would be grateful for anyone to donate what they can,” he added.
Julian’s 500-mile venture will see him travel from Chepstow to Prestatyn, then via Dublin to Northern Ireland and walk from Kilkeel to Londonderry. His third leg will be across to England from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend, and then to the coast at Tynemouth. His final leg is north to Scotland from Dunbar on the North Sea to Helensburgh on the west coast. Join Julian on his venture or keep up with his walking itinerary here.
“I can’t see that anyone else had done anything quite like this. It sounded like a fun adventure and the necessary amount of challenge to make the fundraising worthwhile. I am hoping that many walkers will come and join me and make A Really Goode Walk something special,” Julian said.