A CUMBRIAN man will walk 1,800 miles across the UK in memory of his late wife to raise vital funds for the MS Society.
Gary Rushworth, 64, from Barrow-in-Furness, lost his wife Moira in February 2020 following complications related to her multiple sclerosis (MS).
The loving husband will walk coast to coast twice, firstly across southern Scotland and then after walking Land’s End to John O’Groats, across northern England.
Gary will be stopping at many locations that hold special memories for him and Moira.
The grueling challenge began yesterday (Thursday April 14) in Carlisle, the place and date Gary and Moira first met.
It will end on Sunday, September 25, in Longtown, Moira’s place of birth.
Gary, who retired in 2014 to become Moira’s full-time carer, said: “This year is an important year for me as it will be Moira’s 60th Birthday and our 35th wedding anniversary.
"I very much want to achieve something for which she would be proud.
"Moira and I both had a love for walking and it was one of the first loves that MS stole from her.
"Ultimately, this prevented us from having the twilight years of our lives walking the paths of this beautiful country together.
"There are currently very few treatment options for people living with progressive forms of MS and this meant Moira’s condition worsened over time, leading to extended periods of time in hospital and a weakened immune system.
Gary will be raising money for Octopus, the world-first mega-trial for progressive MS funded by the MS Society.
To sponsor Gary, click here.
To follow his walk on social media click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here