7th September 2024

After being pimped out to a volunteer helper at the charity ‘Say Aphasia’ by her work colleague so he could gain match funding for his efforts from her employer Care UK, Ladies Vice Captain, Lisa Phillips Horner completed a monster walk on the Downslink Way.

On Saturday 7th September, Lisa and her Volunteer acquaintance from Say Aphasia, Richard, set off to attempt a 37-mile walk along the disused Downslink Way railway line 🚂 which runs from Guildford to Shoreham.

After being a little late setting off due to their driver getting slightly lost on the way there, they finally set off at 8.50am from the top of the line in Guildford, Surrey.

The weather was fine and perfectly warm and the conversation was good, they walked continuously all day, only stopping for Richard to change his socks a couple of times and Lisa to frequent a real toilet 🚽 once 😱

Lisa and Richard kept up a steady pace throughout the day walking at around 17.50 m/m or just over 3-miles an hour.

Signage at the top of the Downslink way is pretty sketchy so they did have to get chatty with the locals a few times, especially after going wrong, losing the trail and ending up on a 60-mile an hour road with no path for around 3 miles. The adventurous duo tracked down a lady leading horses 🐎, who of course knew the way, to ask for directions for them to get back to the trail and to resume their challenge.

Richard had a helpful friend, Ian, meet them at Christ’s Hospital. Stopping for a short rest and refuel, Lisa and Richard enjoyed a chat with supporter Ian who had helped Richard with his training, before pushing themselves on towards the finish line 🏁

Alas, the later than planned start and the detour off plan meant the duo were off their planned time line and they decided to call it a day at Partridge Green, when they lost the light at almost 8pm. Neither Lisa or Richard had remembered to bring torches 🔦🤣 🤦🏼‍♀️

Achieving 29.32miles in 9hrs 36 minutes the pair will return to the trail in a few weeks time to complete the last section from Partridge Green to Shoreham, a distance of a further 12 miles.

Lisa and Richard appreciated all the amazing support they received from all their very generous sponsors and would like to thank everyone. The walk, which was not an organised event but just the two of them walking and talking all day,  helped them raise £1240 for charity Say Aphasia which supports those living with speech, language and processing delay after stroke or brain injury.

Well done Lisa and Richard, you are both an inspiration to us all 🧡🧡

To find out more about Say Aphasia and the work they do or to make a donation please visit www.sayaphasia.org 🧡