A woman is planning to walk the entire coast of mainland Britain in memory of her wife. Tracey Howe, 60, has set herself the 5000-mile challenge following the untimely death of Angela White last September.
Angela was just 58 when she died with two types of blood cancer, myeloma and amyloidosis. The couple, from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, who had been together for 37 years and married for nine years also have two sons, 23-year-old Danny, and Will, 26.
It’s thought Tracey, who will turn 61 early in the long-distance walk, will become the oldest female to do the route anti-clockwise. She is raising funds for several charities close to her heart.
The idea for Tracey’s Trek
Tracey, a former physiotherapist and retired professor of rehabilitation sciences, said: “Before Angela died, our retirement plan was to tour the UK in a van but now I am grieving and I am going to be doing it on my own.
“I will start and finish at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow. I hope to walk an average of 20 miles each day, six days a week for around year.
“Tracey’s Trek is the biggest challenge that I have ever done by far and I know there are going to be some very tough times, both physically and mentally. I will be out in all weathers and face a huge range of terrains. I will also be thinking a lot about Angela, which will be very emotional.
“I am doing this for myself, in Angela’s memory and to raise money for various charities.”
Tracey’s Trek for charities
The chosen charities that will benefit from Tracey’s Trek are The Beatson, Marie Curie, The Braintrust and two breast cancer charities, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel.
Tracey says: “The NHS, The Beatson and Marie Curie gave us tremendous support during Angela’s illness.
“I am also supporting the Braintrust because prior to Angela’s cancers, she suffered a brain tumour, meningioma. It was benign but it caused her many health difficulties.
“She was just getting over the removal of the brain tumour and some complications when, tragically, she was diagnosed with myeloma and amyloidosis. The cancer is what took her life when she was such too young.
“My sister-in-law, who sadly has breast cancer, has chosen Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel as the other charities to benefit from my walk.
“I am self-funding Tracey’s Trek and so 100% of funds raised will go to these charities.”
Support for Tracey’s Trek
To support the walk, Tracey will be relying on family, friends and acquaintances. Her motorhome, called Priscilla, Queen of the Coast – “Angela and I loved Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” explains Tracey – will accompany her on the journey, which starts on November 1, 2024.
The first goal is 550 miles south around the coast to reach Blackpool for December 7. Tracey says: “I am breaking the bigger walk into smaller chunks so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
“The reason for reaching Blackpool by this date in December is to take part in Fitsteps Fire & Ice. This is a fitness class that I enjoy and the event will be in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. It is a good place to aim for at the start of the walk. After that I will aim for Christmas and New Year with friends in Wales.”
Tracey will stick as much as possible to coastal routes and she believes the total distance will be around 5000 miles. She has even gained the backing of Scottish musicians The Proclaimers, who are allowing her to adapt one of their most well-known songs, “I will Walk 500 miles”, to “I will walk 5000 miles” as the sub-title for her challenge.
National Chef of Scotland Gary Maclean has agreed to create menus of meals that can be made in a motorhome while Tracey walks.
Asda has also offered Tracey meals in their supermarket cafes as she walks Britain’s coastline.
Tracey is hoping that other people will help her throughout the journey, with recommendations for the right routes around the coast, places for her and friends to park Priscilla and also company.
Tracey says: “The walk is a chance to spend time on my own and also with friends. My dog Poppy, who is now 12, will join me for some miles, too.
“I will be thinking a great deal about Angela and there will no doubt be many tears but I also hope to meet people along the route and to share this epic journey with others.
“It seems very daunting just now but I am committed to it and I believe it will have a very positive outcome raising money for these vital charities, giving me a sense of purpose, allowing me to grieve, increasing my confidence and offering the opportunity to mark Angela’s too-short life.”
You can keep track of Tracey’s Trek on Facebook and Instagram @traceystrekuk. If you can help with support, logistics, places to park the motorhome or route advice while Tracey walks, please do get in touch on social media.
Please donate to Tracey’s Trek if you can.