Grandparents from Weybridge set to walk 2,500 miles for children's charity
The overseas journey aims to raise funds for support given to their granddaughter
Robert Gomez, 80, and Ana Maria, 77, are preparing for a remarkable 2,500-mile walking challenge from Rome to Gibraltar to raise funds for Momentum Children’s Charity.
This overseas endeavor begins next week on 18th March, aiming to generate £4,000 for the charity that supported their family during their granddaughter Mabel’s cancer treatment.
Mabel, now five years old, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia three years ago when she was just two.
She completed her treatment at Kingston Hospital last spring, marking the end of a difficult journey.
Robert and Ana Maria, who are from Weybridge in Surrey, plan to walk approximately 17 miles each day for six months.
Due to Schengen visa restrictions limiting their stay in EU countries to 90 days every 180 days, they will divide their journey into two stages, returning to the UK halfway through.
The couple looks forward to celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary in April during their time in the UK.
Momentum Children’s Charity provided vital support to the family throughout Mabel’s treatment, motivating Robert and Ana Maria to embark on this ambitious challenge.
Robert told us that his mantra for the trip will be 'Be more Mabel'
"One day when I was complaining about my knee, gets quite sore, Celine, my daughter, said to me, all you have to do is just be more Mabel. I admire Mabel so much, so does my wife.
Mabel has taken everything in stride. She doesn't moan about anything. She doesn't complain about anything. So all you have to do is be more Mabel. And I thought to myself, yes, that's going to be our mantra on this walk."
Robert told us a bit more about Mabel's story
"She was diagnosed at the age of two. She's now five. She's missed a lot of school as a consequence of illness.
For a long time, she wasn't allowed to be anywhere near anybody else except her parents and the two sets of grandparents
Having been told that she couldn't be any anywhere near everybody, she found it very hard to be in school because she was afraid of all the other kids, you know, So she's had a really trying time.
But every day she turned with with a smile. I mean, she's had blood transfusions, she's had lumbar punctures. You name it, she's had chemo practically every day.
There's no stopping her. You know, she's a vivacious girl. She's a beautiful girl as well."
Robert also told us about how grateful he was to be able to give back to the charity Momentum
"You can't imagine what it's like to have a a two year old granddaughter, for you to be told that there's a risk that she might die because she's got this, this cancer.
Momentum are there from day one, you can chat to them, they know the ropes, I hope they know that we're very grateful for everything they've done. They're a marvellous charity.