Beryl Griffiths from Somerset was an experienced walker having travelled many miles with her husband, Tony, including a 1,300-mile trek from John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) in 1995.
Beryl said: “Tony and I were blessed with forty years together; this featured countless miles backpacking before trekking along footpaths from John O'Groats to Land's End with no backup. The joys and trials of that four-month adventure bonded our already close relationship into a closeness only death could part.” Tony sadly died in May 2020 but along with Beryl, he helped to raise more than £200,000 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
The couple’s JOGLE raised a staggering £35,000 which was used to benefit CHSW’s first hospice, Little Bridge House in Barnstaple.
Tony was inspired to raise funds for CHSW having met the charity’s co-founder, Jill Farwell, in 1995 on the building site that would become Little Bridge House.
Beryl said: “He was captivated by the concept of a children's hospice and galvanised by the courage of this young mother and her husband, Eddie. They were dedicating their lives in tragic circumstances to help others.”
In 2005 when Beryl achieved her ambition to walk solo from the East to West of Britain, it was CHSW who was the beneficiary of the funds raised.
Beryl, who by then was 65 and a grandmother, said: “My own dedication to the children's hospice comes from the good fortune to raise three children. Knowing the stresses and strains of caring for children who are well, it's impossible to imagine the devasting tiredness and tortured emotions of parents of such very sick young people, who they must lose so cruelly. The entire family have the strain lifted at the hospice, with confidence in the love and skill of the carers enabling relaxation and enjoyment together.”
Beryl took on the aptly named ‘Granny Trek’ and walked from Lowestoft to St David’s Head – a distance of more than 600 miles - with her two dogs Fritz and Rudi. Her friend, Julia Barlow (aka Granny’s Nanny), was by her side, not walking, but looking out for her well-being as Beryl was determined to achieve an average of 12-19 miles per day.
Beryl said: “Although Tony couldn't join me on Granny Trek due to ill-health, his unwavering support and innovative ideas were the bedrock of its success and I felt him with me in spirit every step of the 600 miles. The vast sum of money subsequently raised for CHSW’s second hospice, Charlton Farm, was in no small way down to Tony.”
Beryl documented her experience in a book which she called ‘Granny Trek’. It was a heart-warming account of her journey, from the first stirrings of intent, through to the highs and lows of the adventure.
To mark the opening of Charlton Farm in 2007, over 700 people joined a mini-Granny Trek through the beautiful surrounding countryside. From elderly grannies to babies in pushchairs, with granddads, husbands, friends and pet dogs, the band of walkers streamed across the fields in a joyous celebration of the new hospice. This became an annual event, raising vital funds for Children’s Hospice South West, and in 2010 Beryl’s book was launched. The foreword by Clare Balding said, “Read the book and be inspired” and that’s exactly what Beryl and Tony’s backpacking adventures achieved.
My own dedication to the children's hospice comes from the good fortune to raise three children. Knowing the stresses and strains of caring for children who are well, it's impossible to imagine the devasting tiredness and tortured emotions of parents of such very sick young people, who they must lose so cruelly.