19 Aug 2022 Community

John Atkins walks the El Camino for The Kirkwood and completes 500 mile challenge

There are moments in your life you will never forget and there are people in this world that will take on the biggest of challenges to raise funds to help support others. One person that has recently had one of those unforgettable moments and raised unbelievable funds for charity is John Atkins of Birstall.  

John, 75, is a humble man who simply likes to walk. Through his passions of walking he has raised an incredible £3,500 for The Kirkwood by putting one foot in front of the other for 500 miles between the 21st April and 28th May.  

Having built up his mileage in lockdown when the world was going through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was after speaking to one of his friends called Carol that the mammoth task was talked about and trekking the famous El Camino was suggested.  

The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James, is a pilgrimage of Medieval Origin. Today, more than a pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago is a unique experience and trip of a lifetime, with its routes attracting thousands of people from all over the world. 

On the walk itself and why he took up the challenge, John said: "I wanted to get fitter and I started walking at home and built up to four to five miles a day.  

"I had been doing it for quite a while and then a friend of mine asked if I wanted to do the El Camino with her. I said I'd think about it, when I asked her how far it was and she said it was 500 miles it took me back a bit. I told her if I could get up to 10 miles a day then I'd have a good chance at completing it, as it is on average 13 miles a day you need to walk to compkete it. In the meantime she went ahead and booked it anyway, so that was it, I was doing it. 

"Everyone in this area has had a connection with cancer or a long term illness with a family member or friend. So The Kirkwood is so important to the whole of Kirklees, the support you provide is so crucial to helping to support life. That is why when i said I'd do the walk I thought I might as well raise funds for charity at the same time."  

It wasn’t all plain sailing for John though as the rough terrain gave him problems at times.  

He explained: "When I was walking down the Spanish side of the Pyrenees it was difficult. You have to watch where you are walking because its not a flat surface I was walking on. I slipped at one point and hurt my back, I also hurt my knee. I did think at some points what am I doing this for and then I remembered I was doing it for The Kirkwood. It was just as much of a mental challenge as a physical one.  

“The most challenging part was during the first couple of days because it was raining. We had to walk steep inclines and I had a problem with my right knee, which caused me a bit of pain for a couple of days. 

“Further on I also twisted my back, with only four miles to go. However, the worst part was when the sun came out, which it did on most occasions, and it got really warm towards the end. 

“Fortunately, the last four-five days of the walk was mainly through quite a large dense forest of eucalyptus trees, which made it easier. 

“Overall, I was quite surprised. I am not saying it was easy but it wasn't quite as difficult as I expected it to be." 

Along the route John saw some beautiful sights, he added: “The most outstanding thing was when we were at a place called Burgos, it's a beautiful city. 

“We went up this narrow street and just as we came round a bend at the top, there was Burgos Cathedral. It was mind-blowing really, it just sort of appeared - it is an unbelievable building and I would love to go back." 

 

John is proud of his achievements and whilst he isn't in it for the thanks this monumental feat of courage and sheer audacity to take on a grueling challenge must be applauded. John received a certificate at the end of the walk and revealed he got rather emotional when he was given it.  

He said: "When I went to go get my certificate I found that really emotional which I didn't think I would. I was tired at the end and was glad I had finished it. It was a true individual journey and I felt like all those who had donated towards my efforts were right there with me. I did a daily blog and kept people up to date with my progress. I was surprised and delighted with how much we have as a collective raised for The Kirkwood through my passion of walking.  

"I think I am a lot fitter now than when I was 30 or 40. Now I have done this, I think it does give you the impetus to do other things in your life and stretch yourself.  

“It's looking like I have raised around £3,500 for The Kirkwood which is incredible. I was really overwhelmed and felt very humbled because of the people who donated money and the comments that I was getting were really supportive - that really gave me a boost and gave me the confidence to go on and do the job. 

“I would like to say thank you to everyone for their generous contribution. They will never know how much it has meant to me. 

“It is going towards a very worthy cause, I am very grateful.”