Featured on BBC Radio York with Jericho Keys talking about Taking on the Cleveland Way: 109 Miles in 5 Days to fundraise for the RNLI

I was recently featured, along with my son Dominic Furness, on BBC Radio York with Jericho Keys talking about gearing up for an exciting but challenging adventure. We’re setting out to walk the entire Cleveland Way—109 miles—from Helmsley to Filey Brigg in just five days. We’re doing this not only for the challenge but also to raise funds for the RNLI, a cause close to our hearts https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl90

A massive thank you to Jericho Keys and the BBC Radio York team!

We know most people take about nine days to complete this trek, but we’re aiming to push ourselves and do it in just five. It’s going to be tough, especially with the hilly terrain as we approach the coastline, but we’re ready. We’ve broken down the route into manageable sections, planning to walk 22 to 25 miles each day, with breaks in between to refuel and rest our feet. With the long daylight hours, we’re confident we can make it through.

Dominic and I have both done a lot of walking over the years. We come from a family that loves the outdoors, and we’ve hiked in places like the Lake District and the Peak District. Dominic’s even ticked off a good number of Wainwrights, so we’re no strangers to long walks. Still, this is going to be a big test for us.

Foot care is going to be crucial. We’ve both experienced sore feet and blisters on long treks before, so we know how important it is to wear the right footwear, take breaks, and let our feet breathe when needed. It’s all about preventing problems before they start.

As for the cause, we’re proud to be raising money for the RNLI. They do incredible work saving lives at sea, and they rely entirely on donations to keep going. Given our love for canoeing and sea kayaking, and the fact that Dominic lives near the coast in Filey, it’s a cause that means a lot to us. We’re hoping to raise £1,090—£10 for every mile we walk.

We’re starting our treck this Saturday at 7 AM from Helmsley Castle. If anyone wants to come and cheer us on, you’re more than welcome! We know it’s early on a weekend, but it would be great to see some friendly faces as we set off.

Thanks to everyone who’s supporting us. We’ll be sharing updates along the way, and we hope to cross that finish line in Filey with a sense of accomplishment and a good sum raised for the RNLI. Wish us luck!