Gillian Scotford, whose son Thomas visits Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, invented a 35 mile walk through 20 Derbyshire villages 3 years ago as a charity challenge to raise money for the children’s hospice. The walk has gone from strength to strength and is now in its fourth year.
This year Gillian is making the walk extra special, as she has written a book detailing the route through the 20 villages. The book is an in depth guide to 4 or 5 star accommodation, eating, drinking and other attractions along the way. The route can be separated into 6 shorter circular walks or walkers can stroll from one village to the next.
Gillian explains why she created “Tom’s Golden Mile Challenge” and why she decided to write the book.
“My son Thomas is 14 and needs 24 hour care. He is prone to fits and choking and has had 3 respiratory arrests in his life requiring life support. Thomas is a real fighter, everyone describes him as gentle and happy, and he is completely surrounded by love. His brother Sam had a stroke and has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. Our children couldn’t be happier. They have all the love, care and support any child could wish for but what Bluebell Wood means to me is that light at the end of the tunnel, that feeling that they will catch me when I fall, the feeling that when everything goes wrong they will help us make it better. They allow both me and my husband to be able to have some time to ourselves with no demands on us. As a parent the moment you have children your responsibilities are forever with them. When their needs are continuous, 24-7, to have your responsibilities removed for just a few hours is what I crave. This is what Bluebell Wood provides.
It costs over £2.5 million every year to keep providing this support to families like mine, and the hospice relies on fundraising to meet this target. So far, the walk has raised £36,000 and goes from strength to strength. “
Gillian continued “The book was written to enable others to share the beautiful walk through the villages. I’d like to thank the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire who wrote the forward, Giovanna Burgess for the hand painted maps, and Si Homfray of Hammer Design of Hathersage who published it. Without their hard work and dedication, publication would not have been possible. Many people live on the edge of Derbyshire and have never explored what the Peak District has to offer. This book is an easy guide to discovering 20 beautiful villages.”
The last seven miles of the walk go through the beautiful villages of Baslow and Chatsworth, finishing in Ashford-in-the-Water and Gillian is inviting walkers to join the 18 ladies taking part for the last seven miles of their long journey on 5th June. Meeting at the village hall, Baslow, the walk ends at Ashford in the Water at the magnificent Thornbridge Hall, where a finale party will include a barbeque, afternoon tea and live music by renowned local band Acoustic Angels. There will also be an exclusive ale flavoured ice cream from Bradwell’s to try on the day. A complimentary coach, provided by Andrews of Tideswell, will then take walkers back to Baslow at 8.15pm. Tickets are £12.50 for adults (including a pint of Thornbridge ale or bubbly) and £5 for children.
If you don’t fancy walking, there is also “Tom’s Golden Chain Challenge”, a 35 mile cycle ride through the 20 villages, which will also take place on June 5th, meeting up with the walkers for the return to Ashford in the Water.
Full details of the events are available on www.goldenmiles.co.uk or by calling Bluebell Wood.
For tickets to participate in the walk and the Ales & Angels finale event call Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice on 01909 517 365. The Golden Miles book can be ordered online at www.bluebellwood.org
