Maisie LillywhiteGloucestershire
The Evie Dove FoundationA man has crossed the finish line two years after beginning a 3,700 mile (5,900km) walk around the UK.
Dickie Mackness, from Lower Swell, near Stow-on-the-Wold, in Gloucestershire, clocked up 3,714 miles (5,977km) by trekking England’s south coast, Wales, and spanning the length of Hadrian’s Wall.
In doing so, he raised more than £15,000 for The Evie Dove Foundation, a charity set up in the memory of 13-year-old Evie Dove from Kent, who died in 2022 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Mr Mackness crossed the finish line at The Big Coastal Walk in Hythe, Kent – an annual event hosted by the charity – on 6 September, in what he said was “a deeply emotional moment”.
Mr Mackness received donations from strangers he met along the way, and through his fundraising page online.
“This journey has been about so much more than miles – it’s been about courage, kindness, and community,” Mr Mackness said.
“Walking in Evie’s name has been an honour, and I’m so proud to have played a part in helping the foundation continue its vital work.”
Mr Mackness walked while wearing pink – Evie’s favourite colour – and faced a number of challenges, including a serious fall that left him concussed on a cliff edge, becoming marooned on the Isle of Skye, and an Achilles tendon injury.
“I just said ‘I’m going to complete this, even if it’s on my mother-in-law’s mobility scooter’,” he joked previously.
The Evie Dove FoundationThe Evie Dove Foundation will use the money to fund specialist training for children’s healthcare professionals, to improve outcomes for children with serious and long-term illnesses.
Kelly Terranova, the foundation’s marketing manager, said it was “in awe” of Mr Mackness.
“His determination and resilience have been nothing short of inspiring, and his efforts have made a huge difference to the foundation,” she said.
Since launching, the foundation has supported more than 180 healthcare workers across the UK.
