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Vic’s Big Walk is being undertaken to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Vic’s first wife Gaile, also from Blackpool, died of this dreadful illness, one of the few cancers for which there seems to have been no progress at all in treatment or cure. It is a very cruel form of cancer, usually giving only weeks of survival after diagnosis.
Donations can be made either via the blog where you can follow his progress online (blog address http://vicsbigwalk.blogspot.com ), or direct from Vic’s fundraising webpage at http://www.justgiving.com/Vic-Heaney/
You guessed it, raising money of course. Shortly after Vic's return to France we plan to help raise more money by organising a dinner with Vic as the guest speaker. You will be able to hear first hand about his 'Big Walk' (plus some of his other escapades no doubt). This will be an amazing experience for those attending and we are sure you won't forget it for a long time to come.
All the profits from this event will be donated to Vic's charity Pancreatic Cancer UK. So come on, dip your hand in your pocket and join us for what will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting and funniest events we have ever had the pleasure to organise (you never know we might get him to play a tune or two on his guitar).
Accommodation is available here for the night but limited to eight people (four couples). We will be charging a fixed fee per room of 50 Euros and again any profit will be donated to Vic's charity. Further accommodation is available in our village which we will be happy to organise for you.
We anticipate a great demand for this event so please book early. To make your booking please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
His previous exploits have included many years of competitive running, a period as a regional manager for Britain’s major computer manufacturer, then founding and running a substantial company in the IT business world. For his 60th birthday he started learning to play the guitar, and made his first appearance on stage last December, playing in a country rock band in Lavelanet at the age of 68.
The latest venture will be his biggest challenge yet, seeing him trek a total of up to 2000 kms through France and England.
His father and
mother lived in the target house from 1937 until their deaths, his mother’s most
recently, in 2003. It is now occupied by a stranger who may be surprised if Vic
turns up, as seems likely after such an epic walk, with an entourage.
He says, “I had to give up running because of a persistent knee injury, but the
knee seems to be holding up to the walking quite well. I found walking very
boring until I gave myself this objective, but now happily walk 5 or more hours
each day.”
The project was conceived in 2008 while doing some strenuous walking in New Zealand. “I wanted to do something unique to celebrate my 70th birthday. We were walking 30 kms a day for several weeks in New Zealand and I got to thinking ‘Could I keep this up for 10 weeks?’ Only one way to find out!"
In total, with training, Vic’s Big Walk will cover 10,000 kms, which “with my little legs” will be 12.5 million steps for Vic. He has walked more than 3,500 kms this year so far. Training walks have taken place mainly in the Aude and Ariege, but also in UK, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia and USA.
Vic’s wife Gay will be driving a motorcaravan which will be the support vehicle – home and office, kitchen and dining room. “Gay will be moving the battlebus, as we call it, on 30 kms each day. Mind you, we have yet to acquire such a vehicle, and we are hoping that one of the campervan manufacturers will loan one to us for the duration of the trip, in exchange for the publicity.” This promises to be substantial. There has already been some press coverage, there is talk of television, and Vic is writing a book. (Update - Vic now has a nice new motorcaravan which is waiting to be 'decorated' by Columbia Sportswear.)
The vehicle will be dressed overall in a fancy design supplied by Vic’s sponsors – Columbia Sportswear. He jokes, “This year they had a high-performing team in the Tour de France. Now they have me.” Columbia are putting a link from their website to the blog of Vic’s Big Walk, and their PR people are preparing to put out stories and press flashes about him. In France, Vic’s route will take him, mainly via the Grandes Randonnées walking paths, to Caen/Ouistreham, then by ferry to Portsmouth. From Portsmouth he will take long distance paths, such as the Wayfarer’s Walk and the Thames Path, as far as Oxford. From Oxford, almost into Lancashire, he will follow canal towpaths. After that, he is on home ground and “will probably skip the final 50 or 60 kms”.
Donations can be made either via the blog (blog address http://vicsbigwalk.blogspot.com ), or direct from Vic’s fundraising webpage at http://www.justgiving.com/Vic-Heaney/
Vic can be contacted by e-mail at : vicngay@gmail.com
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*If on site then 30 Euros per person plus 50 Euros per room (2 people), the price also includes breakfast for two people.
If you have completed the form please click on the 'Submit' button below and we will be in contact sortly.
