John Parry challenges Reform UK donors after 526-mile cancer walk

Welsh grandfather John Parry has completed a 526-mile charity walk from the most easterly point of England to the most westerly point of Wales. He walked from Lowestoft in Suffolk to St David's Head in Pembrokeshire. The route was meant to be 462 miles, but he got lost several times and found some paths difficult because hedges were overgrown. He finished after seven weeks and two days, taking one day off a week to recover. His family had to move its headquarters each week, so the rest days were not full rest days.

He undertook the walk after a serious accident led to a cancer diagnosis. He was found to have high-grade bladder cancer and kidney cancer, and he now has markers in his blood. With help from his granddaughter, he began sharing his story on social media. He said the response from other people with cancer and their supporters resonated with him. He wanted to help cancer charities, including Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, and hospices, even though he could not cure the disease himself.

Parry said the biggest highlight was the people he met. Some stopped to talk, while others walked with him for half a day or several days. He also praised the beauty of England, saying he turned around before crossing into Wales to thank England for looking after him. His family provided the core support team. His son-in-law planned and coordinated the walk, while his wife, children, grandchildren, and a family friend took turns supporting him.

He has raised tens of thousands of pounds and said more needs to be done. He wants to carry out another walk, but says he needs sponsorship and support. In the interview, he challenged two large donors to Reform UK. He named Christopher Harborne and Ben Diello and asked them to give £100,000 each to his four charities. That would amount to £800,000, with a target of £1 million. If they meet the challenge, he said he will do a longer walk.

Possible routes include walking from the most easterly point of mainland Britain to the most westerly point in the north of Scotland; walking from the top of Ben Nevis to the top of Snowdon while taking in Scafell Pike; or covering 250 miles each in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Parry also gave an update on his health. He is due back in hospital next week for scans on his kidney cancer and again a week later to restart treatment for bladder cancer. He said he is fine and okay.