We’re very sorry to report that Professor Jerome Carson has had to cut short his walk from Manchester to Walsingham on medical advice, as he explains below. Jerome had already completed nearly half the walk, an incredible distance of 65 miles in just three days, something most of us would struggle to achieve. This demonstrates so clearly the qualities of resilience and grit that he often speaks about. Illness and injury can happen even to the most elite athletes, and we wish Jerome all the best for his recovery.
We are so very grateful to Jerome for all the effort he put into this inspirational campaign and to all those who have so generously supported him. The walk has raised an amazing £23,000 for the Hummingbird Project, our evidence-based Positive Psychology course in schools, which is achieving measurable improvements in children’s mental health. The full cost of delivering the programme is around £50 per pupil, so the funds Jerome has raised will enable at least 460 children to learn lifelong skills to look after their emotional wellbeing.
To support this project that is having a real impact on young people’s lives, you can still donate to Jerome’s appeal using the button below.
Jerome’s story
“Sadly, I had to withdraw from the Walsingham Walk on Day 4. I has walked 21, 23 and 21 miles over three consecutive days. When my new friend Carl Finch looked at my blisters on Day 3 he said they were getting worse. Overnight I decided I needed to go to an NHS Urgent Care Centre in the morning. The nurse who examined my feet touched my shin an suddenly a large red patch developed. A physician associate then looked at the bruising and made an initial diagnosis of vasculitis.
After some blood tests I was seen by a doctor who confirmed the initial diagnosis of vasculitis and said I was also mildly dehydrated. Barrie Green who was with me in the consultation asked if I should continue with the walk The doctor said ‘No.’ Barrie and Carl decided the best thing they could do was to drive me home so I could recover at home. I did not achieve my objective of walking to Walsingham from Manchester.
However I will still travel back down to finish on Saturday as planned. A lot of people helped me to get on the walk. The staff at the charity MedEquip4Kids. Some of my PhD students, especially Shahaa who designed the T-shirts. Beverley Heyworth who brought me her spare phone charger and who put up posters in some pubs on Day 2. Mark and I were cheered into the Eyre Arms. My support team Chathurika and Samurdhi and Barrie and Carl. My parish community in Astley Bridge led by Father Kieran Anderson. My coach Irfan Qureshi, who walked the last few miles with me yesterday. Dr Mark Holland who walked with me through the Peak District. Ian Platt and his wife Lucy who guided me through the suburbs of South Manchester and safely to Stockport. My colleagues from the University of Bolton, especially Ian Savage and Adrian Greenhalgh.
All the people who contributed to the appeal. My other coaches and mentors, Ken Heathcote, Alec Grant and Kevin Gournay. My family. My sister Michele who died on July 4th was a huge inspiration to so many. There are so many others, Mark, my brothers Celestine, Christian and Ike. Carine, Paula, Brendan and all our fantastic cousins. Mats and his family contributed from Sweden. What is immediately obvious is how many people were supporting me.
I will travel down to Walsingham for the official finish of the walk on Saturday morning. We have raised a lot of money for children’s mental health and the Hummingbird Project. Ghazala and Catherine we still have much to achieve. We have an incredible team with Dr Michele Tytherleigh and Dr Kevin Hochard from the University of Chester, Claudine McFaul from the Open University, Chathurika Kannangara and of course Ian Platt and Sonia Ebenezer-Bamigbayan who deliver the six-week programme so professionally and efficiently.”
Thanks to all of you.
~Jerome
