Ed Gowan, a director at change management consultancy CBO, prepared for six months for his walks but still had to negotiate a number of last-minute challenges.
Mr Gowan originally intended to walk across five islands in and around the Bailiwick, but was unable to go to Jersey due to Covid restrictions.
‘The first day we walked 48 miles [in Guernsey] to make up for the Jersey mileage we couldn’t do. It was gruelling,’ he said.
‘We were worried we weren’t going to accomplish what we wanted to.’
A Friday night storm then affected travel plans to go to Alderney.
‘The wind was too strong for the little plane we were meant to be travelling over in.
‘We then had to book an Aurigny plane, which ended up with technical issues. It really created a sense of the challenge being difficult outside of the actual walking,’ said Mr Gowan.
The weather prolonged the Alderney walk time by 45 minutes as he was forced to battle gale-force winds.
‘Having companionship from various people was really what kept me going.
‘If I had to do it alone, I think I would have been less likely to succeed,’ said Mr Gowan.
As well the physical benefits, he said he had noticed a positive impact on his mental health since beginning training and plans to continue to do a cliff walk two mornings a week to maintain fitness and relieve stress.
‘This week will definitely be time to put my feet up as they’re quite bruised, but the walk reminded me how valuable for mental health it is to get outdoors and I don’t want to lose that.’
The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation supports premature babies and their families, including offering accommodation for parents of children receiving treatment in hospital in Southampton.
It has raised more than £1m. since its launch in 2003.
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