Martin is walking 55 miles from the Coventry Building Society Arena to Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday 8th March to raise vital funds for The Myton Hospices. Hoping to complete the challenge within 24 hours, Martin is taking on the walk in memory of his best friend, Mick, who died on Christmas Day 2025 at Coventry Myton Hospice.
Mick was diagnosed with cancer in October 2024, aged 57, and by January 2025 he was told he had just one year to live. During a hospital stay, Mick and his loved ones were told he would be moving for end of life care and he was admitted to Coventry Myton Hospice four days before Christmas. Martin said:
We have a friend who works at Myton, so we knew about the work they did, but we didn’t realise just how much they do for patients and their families. Of course, we were a bit apprehensive at first, but it was comforting to know he wouldn’t be in pain anymore and that he would be truly cared for.
They made Mick’s last days as comfortable as possible, and we were able to make the place our own. I stayed with him practically the entire time, and nothing was ever too much trouble for the team.
Mick died aged 58, surrounded by his loved ones. Martin decided to take on the 55-mile walking challenge to raise vital funds for Myton in memory of Mick, who he had been friends with since they were three years old. He continued:
Mick was a big Coventry City Football Club supporter (it’s a shame he didn’t get to see them doing so well this season) and we always used to go to the races together. So starting at the arena and finishing at Cheltenham Racecourse felt like a fitting way to honour him.
Our generation doesn’t often say ‘I love you’ or ‘I miss you’, especially not something I would have said to Mick, he was a very grumpy man! But this is my way of saying both of those things. Most importantly, it’s a thank you to Myton for the wonderful care and support they gave Mick and all of us who love him.
A keen walker, Martin has completed several long-distance walks in the past, but never one as long as 55 miles. Martin added:
I’ve done the odd charity walk and I enjoy walking, but never anything as big as this. I’m sure Mick is looking down thinking I won’t be able to do it, and that will push me even further! Knowing our friendship, he’d probably be dragging me back, but I’ll prove him wrong. He’d be the first to applaud when I make it though.
Taking on this challenge will also give me a sense of closure. The emotions will probably pour out once I’m finished, but I’ll know I’ve done something good for him, and for his legacy.
Everyone at The Myton Hospices is incredibly grateful to Martin and all those supporting him. It costs over £15 million every year to provide our services free of charge to patients and their loved ones, and we must raise over £12 million of this through donations and fundraising.
We simply couldn’t continue delivering our specialist care without the incredible support of people in our community, like Martin.
If you would like to support Martin on his 55-mile challenge and help make a difference for local families, you can find out more and donate online below!
