Surrey Grandparents halfway through 2,500 mile trek in granddaughter's name
Robert and Ana Maria Gomez, grandparents from Weybridge, Surrey, are halfway through the challenge to support Momentum Children’s Charity
Robert and Ana Maria Gomez, grandparents from Weybridge, Surrey, are halfway through an impressive journey to support Momentum Children’s Charity by walking over 1,250 miles overseas.
Their challenge is inspired by their granddaughter Mabel, who was diagnosed with cancer at just two years old. The family received support from Momentum during Mabel’s treatment, which she completed last year at Kingston Hospital.
Robert, who is set to celebrate his 81st birthday this week, and Ana Maria, 77, began their ambitious 2,500-mile trek from Rome to Gibraltar in March. Averaging 17 miles daily, they covered more than 2 million steps over 90 days.
However, Schengen visa restrictions have interrupted their journey, compelling them to return to the UK on 12th June. The couple must complete their challenge over two stages, as EU rules limit stays to 90 days within every 180-day period.
Now back in the UK, the couple is gearing up to finish the remaining half of their epic walking journey in the next stage.
Robert told us that so far the challenge was trickier than first anticipated
"Maybe it's the fact that I'm 80 and I still think I'm 20, you know, a bit of that. And also the terrain was much more difficult than we anticipated.
We're not used really to mountain climbing and this involves a lot of mountains with very, very rough terrain. When I say rough, I mean like rocks and boulders and, you know, proper climbing as opposed to just walking."
He added it was their mantra of "be more Mabel" that was getting them through the challenge
"You can't begin to imagine what she's been through. By comparison, what we're doing is peanuts. So yeah, we were tired, legs hurt, but it's not quite the same as having seven lumbar punctures and four blood transfusions.
You think of what she's been through, how well she coped with it. She always had a smile on her face, come what may. uh And so we try and follow that mantra, as it were."
The Momentum Charity has supported Mabel and her family since diagnosis, Robert was keen to tell us how much he valued their help
"Momentum is a great charity and deserves every single penny. They're a small to medium organisation and they need more funding because they do a fantastic job."