To walk 102 miles in their shoes: Indy’s tremendous trek for Ukraine 

​Q: What makes this year’s trek different from your monumental challenge along the ancient Ridgeway track?

A: The last walk was in the height of summer in August, with endless days and perfect weather, and this walk has been in the depths of winter, with snow, black ice, howling winds, pouring rain and acres and acres of mud. I’ve had a great deal of slipping over and carrying extra heating pads and clothes to combat the -5oC temperatures up on the hills. The climbs on the Cotswold Way have also been much more challenging and regular – so many, in fact, that we’ve had an ongoing joke that if the Cotswold Way can send you upwards at any point it will, even when completely unnecessarily! The ascents up the hills were fine first thing in the morning, but towards the end could be pretty brutal.

The lack of daylight was also tough – as I had decided to complete the whole walk in under two weeks, the distances were much longer – the last day was almost 20 miles, for example – so that meant often starting and ending in the pitch black.

Q: What has been the toughest part about this year’s trek so far?

A: Climbing! Snow! Cows! The snow and ice in the middle of the walk was incredibly beautiful, but pretty treacherous to walk through. And the perennial problem of unexpected cows – making lengthy detours to avoid a bull or racing through fields full of frisky cattle is never easy. All the way, though, I’ve been so conscious of how small my challenges are compared to those of Ukrainians fighting to survive this bitterly cold winter – whilst I was struggling with -5oC degrees, overnight temperatures in Kyiv have dropped to -20oC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Q: Was there a particular story from Ukraine that inspired this incredible fundraising challenge?

A: I wanted to start in January, in a difficult month, to really highlight the struggles of Ukrainian families this winter. My driving force was the multiple reports of people being without power, heating or running water. After my walks, I can come home and have a hot meal and a bath – due to Russian strikes this winter, this is just not possible for thousands of people, including the very vulnerable.

Q: What’s your message for other supporters who are on the fence about taking on a fundraising challenge like this one?

A: Jump off that fence! Choose a challenge which is hard, but with effort and tenacity you can complete. As the walk progresses, the climbing gets easier and the distances you can manage get longer and longer. I think that we all feel powerless at the moment, but we can actually all do something, however small to help. There are kind people everywhere in this world. Make a decision about what you want to do and just do it. It could be a one-off goal or a longer walk like mine – do whatever you’re able to do.

Q: What would you like other people to know about the people of Ukraine?

A: I want people to know how incredibly strong and courageous the Ukrainian people are. People forget that the country has now been at war for almost four years – and the strikes just aren’t letting up – they are so frequent that people barely have time to recover before the next one. I think they are so brave – and I cannot fathom how they keep going day after day with the stress and the fear and the loss. I feel very proud that I and my wonderful sponsors can do something to help through UNHCR.

Q: Last, but not least, how do you keep your energy up?

A: Eat a big breakfast! Listen to music whilst you’re walking. Plan a break in your walk – then walk to that break and don’t have any others.

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You can learn more about Indy’s fundraiser on his JustGiving page.

Ready to take on your own challenge to help people forced to flee? Learn more and download your fundraising guide right here.

For more information on what’s happening in Ukraine, please visit this page.