Fifty at fifty for ellenor

Robin Roberts, one of ellenor’s dedicated supporters – who also volunteers in the hospice charity’s Bexleyheath shop – is marking his 50^th birthday on Wednesday 1 February with an epic sponsored walk of 50 miles.

Robin is setting off at 5.00am from the ellenor’s most southerly shop in Tunbridge Wells and heading north, taking in the majority of the charity’s 16 shops, including those in Swanley, Dartford, Swanscombe and Crayford, before completing his walk at ellenor’s hospice in Gravesend.

Last year Robin challenged himself by taking part in ellenor’s Firewalk and then decided to set a goal of getting fitter by undertaking the Coolings Highway 10K in Orpington, while raising £520 for ellenor.

Robin decided to enter the 10K as a goal, having embarked on the NHS Couch to 5K training programme.

“I was 49, 5’6” and weighed 13 stone and would get out of breath if I dared to run to catch a bus,” says Robin.

Once he’d completed the NHS programme, he continued running every other day – building up his endurance, getting fitter and losing a stone.

“On the day of the 10K, I ran uphill, cross country, downhill and up an even steeper hill,” says Robin. “After an hour I had only reached 8K and I was flagging, but the support from the onlookers and the marshals kept me going. I completed the 10K, exhausted, sweaty, happy and proud.”

Now Robin is taking his fundraising a step further by walking 50 miles for ellenor.

“On my 50^th birthday, I will be spending it walking for ellenor because I believe in their work and the wonderful help they provide,” says Robin, who estimates that his challenge should take him around 15 hours.

You can see Robin’s route here and he would love to see supporters along the way: https://www.facebook.com/events/1368222543210421/?active_tab=discussion Sponsor him here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robin-Roberts50