Incredible! That’s the only word we can think of to describe this amazing group of women who have walked the 150 mile distance between Hereford and Woolacombe Bay in Devon in memory of five-year-old George.
A few words from the Walk for George team:
“We can’t describe the feeling of arriving on the beach. It seemed liked we were walking for miles and miles yesterday.
“Looking down the sand dune to the crowd of orange was just so amazing. The teachers had even come down on the mini bus for the day.
“Thank you so much to everyone for all your messages, comments of encouragement and support it really has kept us going!
“We can’t quite believe it but are now at 50k which is just incredible.
“THANK YOU!!!”
You can still sponsor them by visiting – Laura Hughes is fundraising for Herefordshire Community Foundation (justgiving.com)
The Walk for George Story:
On 27th August 2020 our 5 year old son George woke up his normal cheeky self but after he had wolfed down his marmite on toast he went on to be sick. After that moment, little did we know our lives would be turned upside down forever.
After George had been sick, he had a lie down and when he woke up his face had dropped on the one side so we called 999.
We were rushed to Birmingham where the next morning George was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – (DIPG) which is a highly malignant brain tumour (cancer). DIPG affects children almost exclusively who are between the ages of 4 and 11 and children typically experience a month or less of symptoms before diagnosis and then worsen rapidly. Due to the location of the tumour survival rate is 0%.
The moment we were sat down in the consultants room with 4 or 5 doctors to be given George’s diagnosis will stay with me forever.
In George’s case, the tumour had haemorrhaged (explaining an even more sudden downfall) and we were told he would die at any moment. In the consultant’s words; “You have been hit by lightening”.
With the help of the community nurses, Tom (my Partner) was trained up on administering all of George’s medication and we were able to get back home so we could spend as much time as a family with George and his two brothers, Oscar (then 6) and Harry (then 2).
6 weeks later, on the 12th October 2020, George passed away in our arms.
On 22nd July 2022 myself, my three sister-in-laws and best friend are walking 150 miles from the boys school, Stretton Sugwas Academy to Woolacombe Bay (where each year since the boys were born, we have spent treasured family holidays). We will be walking over 7 days and our daily walking routes will be uploaded here. Hopefully some of you will join us for bits along the way!
We are hoping to raise as much money as possible for ‘George’s Fund’ which has been set up via Herefordshire Community Foundation. All money raised will be used to promote the interests of Herefordshire primary aged children.
As a mum, one of your jobs is to tell your children that “everything is going to be ok”. I couldn’t do that for George so if we as a family can make a small difference to another child’s life then it will give us huge comfort.
Hopefully see you on the walk,
Laura X
