Blog – Macs Adventure

Joined by Sky Sports Head of F1 Martin Turner and a team of adventurous friends and colleages, Dave Clark (Sky Sports’ darts presenter) walked Wainwright’s epic English Coast to Coast in September 2016.

Dave was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011. He planned this challenge to raise funds and awarness for Parkinson’s UK, and is champion for the charity’s Walk for Parkinson’s campaign.

We caught up with Dave after he completed his walk to find out how he got on:

(Headline picture courtesy of @DaveClarkTV on Twitter)

“Clarky’s Coast to Coast”

Dave says of his adventure: “The Coast to Coast was breathtaking and brilliant. A tide of positivity followed us across England. More than 100 people joined-along the way. I’ve managed to raise over £150,000 for vital Parkinson’s research.”

“I chose the Coast to Coast because I used go on holiday, as a child, to Robin Hood’s Bay and see people walking into the sea with rucksacks on wondering what they were doing? I wanted to do it, while I’m still fit enough. Parkinson’s is chronic degenerative neurological condition, which will eventually rob me of the ability to walk.”

So what kept Dave going throughout the challenge itself? “Having so many people  joining me on different days kept spirits high. We were joined by 6 dogs along the way, their energy was infectious.  We also met many people from different parts of the world on the walk, many donated to my just giving page which is incredible.”
 

England’s Coast to Coast is undeniably a challenge, the 200 miles of varied terrain includes some steep ascents & descents, and rugged sections. “The hardest bit was clambering across the spine of the lake district. I found the downhill bits challenging, but my mental strength kept me going. Some of the longer stretches very hard going. On a couple of nights we arrived at our destination in darkness (the road to Shap…. very tough)”
 

Walking a long distance trail, the highs more than make up for the lows! We asked Dave for his favourite memory from the walk: “It’s difficult to choose a favourite bit. The North Yorkshire moors were particularly breathtaking with the heather in full bloom and the sun shining. All was good in the world.”
 

“In many ways the simplicity of the Coast to Coast is its beauty.  All you have to do is concentrate on walking to your next B&B. You have your map. food, walking socks, boots and water and leave your troubles behind you.  I’d recommend it to anyone. But be warned, it’s less of a walk more of an adventure.”

We’d like to congratulate Dave and the team, and thank Dave for sharing his thoughts on the walk. Read more about Dave’s Coast to Coast Challenge on the Sky Sports Website. His Just Giving Page is at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ClarkysC2C.

Charity Partnership, Coast to Coast, Coast To Coast Walk

By Frances McCann
I have been a member of the Macs Adventure team since March 2013, and since joining my travel wish-list has developed ten-fold! Glasgow is my home, and a wonderful city to live in, however I love nothing more than enjoying the access to the Scottish countryside on my doorstep.