Huge congratulations to John Parry, better known to thousands on TikTok and Instagram as ‘Welsh Grandad’, who has walked the entire width of Britain, raising over £72,000 for charity.
John, aged 78, is living with cancer and took on this incredible challenge to give hope to others and to support four charities that have supported him and his family through some of their hardest moments – Farleigh Hospice, St David’s Hospice Care in South Wales, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.
He set off from Lowestoft in Suffolk on 21 June. After travelling over 460 miles on foot through weeks of scorching summer heat, he reached the finish at St Davids Head in Pembrokeshire, West Wales on Tuesday 11 August.
Thousands of people have followed Welsh Grandad’s journey online and cheered him on every step of the way.
Thank you to everyone who has given a donation. John originally aimed to raise £20,000 to be split between Farleigh Hospice and the three other charities, but now hopes to raise £75,000.
An incredible charity walk across Britain
We have been proudly supporting Welsh Grandad throughout his remarkable challenge.
In early July, our fundraisers joined John on his walk in Northamptonshire. We were also there to meet him before he set off on the final day of his walk and cheered him on as he reached the finish.
Farleigh Hospice celebrates Welsh Grandad’s achievement
Jenny Danson, Director of Income Generation at Farleigh Hospice, said, “A huge congratulations to Welsh Grandad for completing this remarkable challenge. Farleigh Hospice is very grateful for the money that John has so generously raised for hospice care and support across mid Essex. It has been a great honour for some of our fundraisers to walk with him and to be there to welcome him at the finish.”
A special video message from Welsh Grandad
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Help Welsh Grandad reach his £75,000 fundraising target