There have been hills, stairs, sore feet and the need to call the fire service to smouldering straw at Thanet Earth during a Margate dad’s 108 mile walk to raise funds for the 1st Garlinge Scout Group.
But there were also offers of food, drinks, places to sleep, pubs and darts, messages of encouragement and a whole community willing him to succeed as Owen Young undertook the journey from Dane Valley to the London Eye.
Owen, who was a Scout as a child and is now a Squirrel leader with his son being one of the members, wanted to help the group with funds for renovations and upgrades at the Garlinge group hut.
The seven day journey was full of ups and downs – literally with 5,175 ft climbed and 5,300 ft descended– with much of the climb claimed at Severndroog Castle and its steps.
On day one Owen was joined by pals Kalel and Oscar who stayed the course until Bishopstone (18 miles in) and then it was time for Owen to carry on alone.
Then it was on to Faversham, through Swale – pub stops and darts games included – on to Medway and Dartford, Bexley, Greenwich and then the final destination – London.
The 26-year-old documented his travels on social media with a growing following checking in on his challenge and making donations.
Owen says he was ‘overwhelmed’ to not only pass his original 100 mile target – completing 108 miles- but finally reaching the London Eye.
He said: “ I think the best words I’ve got are speechless, overwhelmed and in awe. I genuinely don’t think I’ve completely processed it yet. I think my autism probably plays a part in that too. When there’s a huge amount happening emotionally, sometimes it takes me a while to actually process what I’m feeling and find the words for it.
“My body has finished walking 108 miles, but I don’t think my brain has quite caught up yet.
“I know I’m proud. I know I’m relieved. I’m absolutely exhausted. But more than anything, I’m just incredibly grateful.
“There’s also a really emotional connection for me with Scouts and why I wanted to do this in the first place. I was a Scout myself when I was younger. There were adults who gave up their own time to give me adventures, experiences and opportunities. Those people helped shape me and helped me become the person I am today.
“Years later, I’ve somehow come full circle. I’m now a Scout leader myself. My son Harvey is in Scouts. And now I’m one of those adults giving my time to hopefully help shape another generation. When I actually stop and think about that, it gets quite emotional. Because the young people we’re giving these opportunities to today could become the Scout leaders of tomorrow. Or they could go on to do completely different things but carry those values with them — helping their communities, looking after other people and becoming people who are fundamental to society. That’s what Scouts represents to me.”
Owen says the highlight of his journey was the people he met along the way and all the others who supported him.
He said: “Without people, 108 miles would not have been possible. Before I’d even taken the first step, people were coming forward with equipment. People lent or gave me things I needed so I could actually get started.
“Then throughout the journey, people looked after me. People opened their homes and gave me somewhere safe to sleep so I could rest, recover and get back up the next morning.
“People fed me so I didn’t go hungry and had enough energy to keep putting one foot in front of the other. People filled my water bottles. People bought me drinks and food. People donated. People shared the fundraiser. People sent messages when I was struggling. People beeped their horns when they recognised me. People offered help and people even walked parts of this massive journey alongside me.
“Some of them were friends. Some were people I’d met through Scouts or the community. And some were complete strangers. People who didn’t owe me anything. They simply saw another human being trying to do something for a bigger cause and thought: “How can I help?” That’s what has left me in awe more than anything.
“They were my feet that physically walked every mile from Margate to London. But I was really just the vessel that got it there. Every bed I slept in, every meal somebody gave me, every bottle of water, every bit of equipment, every donation, every person who walked beside me and every message telling me to keep going helped move me a little bit closer to London. Without those people, I genuinely don’t believe 108 miles would have been possible.”
Owen admits there was also exhaustion, aching feet, blisters, horrible weather and moments where his entire body was telling him that walking another mile was a terrible idea.
He said: “I expected most of that. What I wasn’t prepared for was developing a genuine personal vendetta against hills, steps, bushes and thorns. Especially the steps. You’d climb what felt like 700 of them, finally reach the top feeling like you’d just conquered Everest, turn the corner… and there’d be another bloody staircase.
“ I’m convinced whoever designed some of the footpaths between Margate and London had a personal belief that walkers should occasionally just be thrown directly through a bush. “There were moments where I looked at the route and genuinely thought: “You cannot be serious.” But even those moments are things I can laugh about now.
“When I look back at this journey, I honestly don’t think the pain, the blisters, the hills or even those steps are going to be what I remember. I’ll remember people. I’ll remember kindness. I’ll remember Scouts. I’ll remember adventure. I’ll remember community. And I’ll remember standing at the London Eye knowing that something which started with me saying, “I’m going to walk 100 miles to London for 1st Garlinge Scouts,” somehow became 108 miles that so many different people played a part in.”
Owen is now taking a well earned rest and enjoyed a huge ice cream treat from Tanya’s ice cream van.
Tanya had already donated £50 but decided Owen had earned an extra reward.
Donations have reached £1540 and the fundraising page is still open.
To add to the total, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/100-miles-to-london-for-1st-garlinge-scouts
No mention of our intrepid explorers work or employer in any of the articles on this. When he was canvassing for Barry Lewis he was reliant on bemefits. Is this still the case? If so , rather seems as though he chooses to expend his time and energies on doing what he wants rather than looking for work.
Patently not physically disabled to any great degree, is quite able to organise things, has no trouble promoting himself and his adventures, difficult to see why he’s not employed.
Pretty blatant way of thumbing his nose to the tax payer that supports him.
Unless of course i’ve missed any reference to his work, in which case i’ll apologise in advance.