Compostella Way Pilgrims Made It!

THEY got there! Richard Tibbott and John Caine have completed their 34-day, 800kms Compostella Way challenge. You can read more about why they took on the challenge within the Champion Athlete to Escort Fundraiser on European Trek story.

John and Richard arrive in Santiago.

On their European trek, Richard and John were accompanied for the first three days across the Pyrenees to Pamplona by Sussex Wooden Spoon members, Alan and Elaine Jenkins. In the middle section, they were joined by Brendan Foster (the former voice of BBC Sport and named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1974). Accompanying them for the second half of the challenge, a mere 400kms, was their ex-Loughborough colleague, Mike Candlish.

The three of them arrived in Santiago on Friday 27th October, ending the Walk at the Pilgrims’ Mass, complete with the Botafumeiro – the massive, flying incense-burning censer.

The adventurers undertook the challenge to raise much-needed funds for both Wooden Spoon and Pancreatic Cancer UK. Alan said: “Richard and I have both lost close relatives to pancreatic cancer – his wife and my brother – and we are all involved in Wooden Spoon Sussex, which is why the funds we raise will go to continuing the great work of both charities.”

The joint efforts of all those who undertook either the whole Compostella Way or sections of it have generated a fantastic £10k so far, which will be equally divided between the two charities.

If you’ve contributed already, very many thanks. If it’s one of those things that have slipped to the bottom of the pile, it’s not too late, you can still donate on Richard and John’s Camino page on Virgin Money Giving.

John, Alan, Richard and Elaine at Pamplona’s gates.