Newsletter
Why we put our hearts into London walkBy Ken Crabb
Nine years ago I had the misfortune of suffering a heart attack. It was then that I first came across the charity ‘Hearts & Souls’ – an organisation set up to help rehabilitate through exercise all cardiac patients in the South Bucks area.
I was approached by the charity earlier in the year to take part in a sponsored walk. In appreciation of their help I felt compelled to give something back, so I asked Kelly Stone of Lee Common, a fellow-walker, to go with me. The 16 London Bridges Walk, commencing at Putney Bridge and following the Thames Path as far as Tower Bridge, crosses all the bridges along the River Thames – a total of 15 miles.
Although we both walk our dogs daily, we felt some long-distance training would be beneficial. Together with Carrie and Molly we spent a couple of weekends completing various 5-8 mile walks in and around The Lee, culminating with a delightful 12-mile circular walk at Coombe Hill. “A piece of cake” we thought until the final ascent to the Monument.
We had two options – the easy, sensible but longer version or the shorter, vertically challenging, straight-up option. Feeling comfortably fit and agile (and wanting to beat some oncoming rain clouds!) I unwisely chose the latter. That tight feeling in the chest came flooding back and I realised I had taken it a step too far.
D-day comes at last
Thankfully fully recovered, the day in April finally arrived. We met up with 20 other ‘Hearts & Souls’ walkers and with rucksacks packed and the prospect of uncertain rain we set off, with some trepidation, at 8:30 am from Putney Bridge. Initially we couldn’t see the next bridge and thought “what have we let ourselves in for – we’ll never manage another 15”! However as we neared Central London the likes of Albert, Lambeth, Westminster, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Blackfriars and London Bridges came into sight.
After a delightful stroll through Battersea Park and other parts we stopped at The London Eye for our picnic lunch. I had mentioned to Kelly some time ago that a medicinal glass of red wine a day is “good for the heart”! Unknown to me she had carried a half bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon together with wine glasses to complete our refreshing and sustaining break!
Onward and upwards for the final push. Living in a bungalow didn’t prepare me for the number of stairs the last five bridges presented but with Tower Bridge on the horizon we felt our mission was nearly complete.
We crossed our final bridge, Tower Bridge, at 2:30 pm – the first of the group to complete the walk. As we returned to our starting point the heavens opened, but despite the wet finale we both agreed we would like to take part next year.
I am delighted to say Kelly and I successfully raised over £300 in sponsorship, whilst the party as a whole raised over £2,000.
The ‘Hearts & Souls’ Charity organises many events for cardiac rehabilitation during the year. Anyone who is interested or wishes to make a donation should contact Peter Killminster at 8 The Haystacks, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 6PY – Tel: 01494 446220.