A WIDOWER and his trusty rescue dog have been walking coastlines in parts of West Somerset as part of an epic fundraising challenge for Ovarian Cancer Action.
So far, Nick Johnson and Louis have raised an impressive £14,529 but with the target set at £50,000, they still have much walking and fundraising ahead of them. Nick rescued Louis from a French rescue centre in 2022, and their walk first began on March 10, 2024.
Nick started the seven-month long walk at Highcliffe Castle, Dorset. He is embarking on the challenge in memory of his late wife, Lisa, who lived with ovarian cancer for eight years and died in 2023.
The pair first met in 1985 and it was love at first sight; they entered into a long-distance relationship and eventually started living together in 1990 before marrying in 1993.
Lisa was first diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2015, when she was given three to five years to live.
Nick said: “Lisa always thought of others and downplayed any question about her health and put her best most energetic foot forward.”
Nick estimates the total distance of the walk to be 3,048 miles of coastline, including the 84 miles from west to east along Hadrian’s Wall, before they head back down the east coast towards the last leg, which will be a south coast route back to Milford-on-Sea.
He plans to walk 13 miles a day staying in a mixture of hotels, pubs, B&Bs and AirBnBs, and he is completely self-funding the trip.
In the last few days, the pair have passed through Exmoor National Park. Nick said: “Exmoor has been a great experience with a rich diversity along the coastal path from rolling hills, woodland trails with these far below whilst dropping into lovely towns like Lynton, Lynmouth, Porlock and Minehead.”
Nick couldn’t spend as long as he’d like in Exmoor, saying: “Unfortunately, our schedule and lack of transport has limited our ability to stray too far from the coastal path. However, we have supported many places to eat and drink and are both a fan of the local ice cream.”
When asked if Nick and Louis have received any offers of free accommodation, he said: ”We have not received any free accommodation in the area mainly due to the fact that we planned and booked our accommodation in advance and prior to reaching out on social media.
“I’ve no doubt that the warm hearts of the Somerset people would have embraced us if they’d have known.”
Nick says everybody he and Louis have encountered on their walk so far has given them a warm welcome, lots of encouragement, support, and well wishes for their onward journey.
Nick lives by making it count everyday, saying: “be kind, be loving, enjoy life and always have a smile for others.”
In England 70 out of 100 women (more than 70%) will survive their ovarian cancer diagnosis for one year or more after diagnosis.
To support Nick and Louis’ cause, visit their website https://www.oca3k.com/