Offas Dyke Challenge 2025
Walking Offa’s Dyke in seven days
In the final week of July, I walked the entire length of the Offa’s Dyke Path, tracing the border between Wales and England from Chepstow to Prestatyn. Though the official distance is 177 miles, including diversions to campsites and access paths, I covered 199 miles and climbed 30,000 feet over seven days. It was an unforgettable journey — both physically demanding and deeply rewarding.
If you’d like to support this challenge, please consider donating via my Just Giving page. Every contribution helps fuel the care, expertise, and compassion that ECMO patients rely on.
Thank you for walking this path with me.
YouTube channel: @Walk4ECMO
The challenge began on Saturday with a steady climb out of Chepstow through the wooded hills of the Wye Valley, ending a few miles north of Monmouth. On Sunday, I crossed the Black Mountains between Pandy and Hay-on-Wye, surrounded by sweeping views and rugged ridgelines.
Monday saw me continue from Hay-on-Wye to Kington and onward to Knighton, completing a scenic yet challenging section filled with steep escarpments. By Tuesday I’d passed the halfway point, covering the varied farmland and quiet lanes leading to Buttington near Welshpool.
From there, Wednesday's route followed the Montgomery Canal and the edge of Chirk Castle, finishing near Bronygarth. On Thursday, I walked through Llangollen and up into the Clwydian hills—an impressive mountain range with ancient hill forts and open moorland leading toward Llanbedr DC.
Friday marked the final leg: climbing through the Clwydians to Bodfari and descending to the Irish Sea at Prestatyn. Seven days, 199 miles, and countless changes in terrain—from riverside paths to steep mountain passes—brought me from the Severn Estuary to the North Wales coast.
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenges 2025
Personal walking challenges
Throughout 2025, I have remained actively engaged in a variety of long-distance challenge events and social walks, continuing to embrace the physical and mental rewards of purposeful walking.
A standout highlight was joining my brothers-in-law for the South Wales Three Peaks Challenge in Abergavenny—ascending Blorenge, Sugar Loaf, and my personal favourite, Skirrid Fawr. This memorable day blended family connection with the exhilaration of traversing three iconic summits in the Welsh landscape.
In London, I also joined work colleagues for a 30-mile trek along the River Thames, starting from the Thames Barrier. The walk offered both camaraderie and a scenic journey through the capital's riverside surroundings.
This summer, I’ll be taking on a solo seven-day hike along the full 177-mile length of Offa’s Dyke — travelling south to north from Sedbury Cliffs to Prestatyn, camping each night.
Last year, injury forced me to postpone this challenge. Now, with renewed determination, I’m back on the trail — raising funds and awareness in support of the incredible ECMO and intensive care teams at Guy’s and St Thomas’.
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenges 2024
Personal walking challenges
In 2024, I joined the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) and took part in a wide range of long-distance challenge events and social walks throughout Surrey. The year kicked off with two 30-mile challenge events in Surrey, both setting the tone for an active and rewarding season. Among the standout highlights was the LDWA Cymoedd Sir Fynwy—a spectacular 50-mile challenge through the hills around Abergavenny, offering rugged terrain and breathtaking scenery. Another memorable moment was an 80km walking weekend held in celebration of an LDWA member’s 80th birthday—a fitting tribute to a remarkable milestone.
During the summer, I had intended to undertake a solo six-day hike along the full length of Offa’s Dyke, camping as I travelled south to north in support of Guy’s and St Thomas ECMO. It promised to be a meaningful adventure, but a knee issue meant postponing the journey—for now.
ECMO simulator
New ECMO training simulator
A new ECMO simulator, funded through Walk4ECMO donations, was acquired in November 2023 to support specialist medical training. We were honoured to be invited to meet the ECMO Consultants and to watch a demonstration of this advanced device in action. The simulator enables healthcare teams to practise critical procedures — such as cannulation and system setup — safely and effectively
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenges 2023
Personal walking challenges
This year's highlights were a four-day hike along the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway, and the Abergavenny Magic walking weekend, where I spent one day walking the seven hills and another hiking Offa’s Dyke.
Hadrian's Wall Hike
Four days hiking the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway.
Abergavenny Magic walking weekend
The Seven Hills of Abergavenny (26 mile)
A spectacular circular hike around Abergavenny’s seven hills: Blorenge, Llanwenarth, Rholben, Sugar Loaf, Deri, Skirrid Fawr, and Skirrid Bach. Amazing and dramatic landscapes with panoramic views.
Abergavenny and Offa’s Dyke (35 mile): Hay Bluff to Pandy loop
Experiencing breathtaking views on the Offa’s Dyke path from Hay Bluff to Pandy.
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenges 2022
Personal walking challenges
This year I managed a few more outdoor walking MicroAdventures, including treks on the Thames Path, Surrey Hills hikes, and some memorable walks in Wales — such as my Offa's Dyke challenge at the end of May.
A standout highlight of the summer was participating in Cardiff and Vale Health Charity’s “5K Do It Your Way” event in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff.
On the down side, I was disappointed that the HEINEKEN Race to the Castle was cancelled due to February storm damage along the route. I’d really been looking forward to this 100km walk through Northumbria and along the coast to Bamburgh Castle — frustratingly postponed twice before due to COVID.
Thames Path and Wey Navigation
Walking the Thames Path from Hampton Court and along the Wey Navigation to Send.
Cardiff Vale Health Charity: 5K Do It Your Way
Amazing views across the Black Mountains and Offa’s Dyke trail. The ~12-mile stretch from Hay Bluff to Pandy was a tough but rewarding challenge.
Hiking up Gwaelod Y Garth, Cardiff
A fantastic circular walk on the outskirts of Cardiff through hilly terrain and beautiful countryside.
5K Do It Your Way — Sunday 31st July
A sunny walk in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff, after a rainy morning. The event kicked off with energy and optimism.
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenges 2021
Personal walking challenges
2021 was the year when CORONAVIRUS lockdown restrictions started to ease across the UK. Like many others, I’d been working from home since the beginning of the pandemic, with limited access to outdoor spaces — and was absolutely desperate to venture further afield for some proper walking challenges.
Sadly, it wasn't possible to organise anything significant, and I only managed one hike in Abergavenny to complement my regular short walks in the Surrey Hills.
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenges 2020
Personal walking challenges
Unfortunately, due to the CORONAVIRUS outbreak, I had to cancel my walking challenges planned for 2020.
Instead, I embraced a series of small lockdown challenges to raise funds in support of the Guy's and St Thomas' Coronavirus Appeal. More than ever, we were grateful for the incredible work being carried out under such difficult conditions by NHS professionals nationwide.
Event One: Street Island #SocialDistancing 'Alternative' Marathon (26 March)
On Sunday 26 March, our street community organised a socially distanced marathon event to coincide with the postponed London Marathon.
Each household took turns as part of their daily exercise to walk, run, or stroll laps of our island. The equivalent distance for a marathon — 26.2 miles — required 281 laps of the island.
More than ten households, two dogs (a sausage and a boxer), and plenty of spirit helped us double our goal with a total of 565 laps — two full marathons completed!
Event Two: A Mile a Day — #LapsOfTheGarden (May 2020)
Guy's and St Thomas' fundraising team challenged us to complete 30 miles in 30 days to support frontline NHS staff. I walked a mile a day through May — right in my garden.
Event Three: Ran 10K a Day for 31 Days — #10KaDay (July 2020)
Still working from home, I pushed myself to run 10K every day throughout July — 31 days of commitment to health, resilience, and gratitude for the NHS.
Wearing CV_UHB & UHW Critical Care colours for Day #30 as a personal tribute. #ForeverGrateful
Delighted to wrap up the month-long challenge with 310km under my belt!
Carols by Candlelight
Evelina Hospital carol service 2019
I was truly honoured to be invited to give a reading at the Evelina Hospital’s Carols by Candlelight service in the magnificent St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey
Walk4ECMO Summer Challenge 2019
Personal walking challenges
Supporting the amazing life-saving ECMO Intensive Care team at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
In 2019 I set myself three Walk4ECMO personal challenges to promote the benefits of walking while supporting the life-saving work of the ECMO team at St Thomas’ Hospital.
Event One: Brighton to London 24hr Challenge (03 August)
I began from the end of Brighton pier at 11:30am and walked north for 57.5 miles over 21.5 hours — arriving at St Thomas' Hospital the next morning. The peaceful garden at the finish made for the perfect rest spot, complete with tea and flapjack.
Route:
Event Two: Abergavenny Offa's Dyke Challenge (07 September)
Inspired by a 2018 trek with Len Richards, I mapped out a 37.8-mile circular walk from Abergavenny, through the Vale of Ewyas, and across Hay Bluff and Pandy. From dawn at 06:44am to dusk — 13hrs 40mins later — I walked under headtorch light to complete this Black Mountains challenge.
Route:
Event Three: Welsh Three Peaks with Cardiff & Vale Health Charity (22 September)
I joined the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity team for a 24hr adventure up Snowdon, Cadair Idris, and Pen y Fan — raising funds for the Critical Care Unit at University Hospital of Wales (UHW) who were pivotal in Tom’s ECMO referral. A demanding challenge, made special by incredible teamwork.
Route:
'Big Cheque' Moment
Presenting fundraising cheque to St Thomas' ECMO ICU
A very proud day indeed on April 2nd 2019 when Walk4ECMO fundraisers presented a cheque for £23,616.55 to the ECMO Consultants at St Thomas'.
Intensive Care Unit 6
Opening event for new ICU ward
On Nov 28th 2018 I had the privilege to officially open the new ICU East Wing (6th floor) on behalf of the Friends and Families of Guys and St Thomas' ICU.
'Roads to Recovery' 2018
182-mile walk from Cardiff to London
Raising money for ECMO at St Thomas' Hospital, London.
In September 2018 I walked 182 miles in 6 days from the UHW in Cardiff to St Thomas’ in London as a personal tribute and symbolic journey marking Tom’s ECMO ambulance progress from Cardiff to London, the first leg of his 'Roads to Recovery' and at the same time to raise funds and awareness for ECMO at St Thomas’. I was incredibly proud of everybody involved with this challenge that helped us raise a staggering total of £28,628.50 (including Gift Aid).
This challenge was also a way of saying thank you to the incredible people working for the NHS that have contributed to save our son Tom's life. In particular I wanted to thank the ECMO doctors and nurses at St Thomas' Hospital and the staff of the Critical Care Unit at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff who cared for Tom when he was first admitted and had the incredible foresight to refer him for ECMO.
We are very grateful for the prayers, well wishes and general support people gave us when Tom became ill, expecially in those first few weeks when things were most difficult. Many thanks also have to go to the incredible catering corp of friends and family that so kindly provided us with ready cooked meals in those first few weeks, so welcome after we returned late each night from sitting at his bedside. Finally, thanks for all those that were #BeStrongForTom.
Tom's Story 2017
ECMO gave him a second chance
In October 2017, Tom received ECMO advanced critical care at St Thomas' Hospital, London after becoming critically ill with pneumonia. The extraordinary care provided by the NHS gave him a second chance at life.
Read MoreOn Sunday, 22nd October 2017, our 18-year-old son Tom Boyce became critically ill with pneumonia and was fighting for his life in the Critical Care Unit at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff. He was too ill for conventional care, so consultants contacted the advanced critical care ECMO team at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. The team arrived just before midnight and were already en route back to London by 4:00 AM with Tom connected to a portable, life-saving ECMO machine.
ECMO stands for Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. It functions like an artificial lung or heart, providing life support for patients suffering from complete heart and/or lung failure. It effectively buys time for doctors to diagnose and treat the underlying condition.
Tom spent nearly two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit and another two weeks in High Dependency at St Thomas' Hospital before being discharged—almost a month after the ordeal began in Cardiff.
He has been incredibly fortunate to receive the advanced critical care that ECMO offers, and we are deeply thankful for the dedication and expertise of the NHS doctors and nurses who supported him throughout. They gave Tom a second chance to live.
We are all so grateful.
