TWO seas, three National Parks and some of Britain’s most spectacular scenery…it’s a massive challenge and one that Nikolas Hoyland is aiming to complete in just 16 days as he embarks on a fundraising adventure in support of our patient services.
Nikolas, who is 34 and lives in Swallownest, is setting off on the famous Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk.
He will set off from the Irish Sea coastline at St Bees Head and then complete 190 miles of walking, passing through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorks Moors before finally arriving at Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea.
Nikolas is taking on the challenge in memory of his grandfather Bryan, who was a St Luke’s patient.
“St Luke’s has always been my charity of choice because my grandad was a patient and spent the last few months of his life there,” Nikolas explained.
“He was quite adventurous and liked the outdoors and the countryside so doing this walk just seems like it fits.”
Joining Nikolas for the first five days of the challenge will be girlfriend Joanna, with his mum and dad also putting in support along the route, making sure he has the supplies to keep him going over the full 16 days.
“I did start the walk once before but I was quite young and naïve about it and only did around three days because I wasn’t prepared and it was a bad time of year,” he said.
“I’m excited and nervous to be setting off again but I am really looking forward to it and there are places along the route that I’m really looking forwards to seeing.”
Nikolas has already beaten his original £500 fundraising target and there still time to give him extra support by visiting Nikolas