Marker Family ‘Race to the Stones’ Challenge

Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and ascended to Everest Base Camp in the past few years, Richard Marker, owner of Combe Estate near Gittisham has decided to take on a challenge a little closer to home this year.

Along with his four daughters, Richard will be taking on the Race to the Stones in July.  This challenge involves walking 100km along the Rideway starting at Lewknor in Oxfordshire and finishing at Avebury Stone Circle. The Ridgeway is recognised as the oldest path in the UK. Along it’s length you will find traces of generations stretching back over 5,000 years. It is lined with Bronze Age hill forts, neolithic burial chambers, Roman river crossings and culminates in the largest Neolithic stone circle complex in Europe at Avebury. The aim is to complete the route in under two days and will involve a night under canvas along the route.

For this challenge Richard and his family have chosen to raise funds for Hospicecare and his target is to raise £15,000.00.

Richard says “This year, I’ve roped my four daughters in to tackle the “Race to the Stones” challenge as a family. It’s a charity walk which covers 100km in just two days. We’re raising funds for Honiton Hospiscare who have just finished their new building but need more funds to complete the project. This is a cause that is very close to our hearts; and we would be delighted if we could reach our goal for this very deserving charity.”

“Two of my daughters live here in the UK and two are abroad in South America and Canada.  I have dragged them all home to keep me company.  Although it should be an enjoyable experience I wouldn’t call it a holiday!!”

Richard and his family have been training regularly by walking around the Estate near Gittisham and taking on more punishing walks along the south west coastal path and other interesting routes in East Devon.  Apart from a few blisters the training has been going well.

“We are really looking forward to taking this on as a family and raising much needed funds for our chosen charity.  Hopefully the weather stays fair and the training pays off for us” said Richard.

Anyone interesting in donating can do so via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardMarker