Peter Gruner shares this latest news from Wootton residents, Linda and Paul Southwell, who walked from Canterbury to Rome to raise money for mitochondrial disease. Ed
They’ve made it. After walking a marathon 1,205 miles, charity fundraisers Linda and Paul Southwell, from Wootton Bridge, have arrived in Rome, their target destination.
The couple’s footslog, which started in Canterbury on 16th May 2025, has raised £2,744 in support of The Lily Foundation, which helps children with mitochondrial disease, a rare complex genetic disorder.
Speaking from Rome, Linda said,
“Each penny will help bring us closer to better funding for mitochondrial disease research, alongside vital support for affected families.”
Chief Executive of the Foundation, Liz Curtis MBE, who founded the charity after losing her eight month old baby Lily to the disease, said,
“Huge congratulations to the couple for an exceptional and personal achievement.
“It was an incredible challenge and Linda and Paul must be very proud. And also a big thank you to the couple for supporting our charity.”
“A journey we will carry in our hearts forever”
The couple, who took up the challenge after being introduced to local three-year-old Teddy Ward, who has the condition, said,
“It’s an overwhelming feeling, knowing we have walked not just 1,205 miles, but have embraced every emotion, every challenge, and every surprise.
“A journey we will carry in our hearts forever.”
87 days walking
They spent eighty-seven walking days on the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome, and received a certificate from volunteers at St. Peter’s Basilica after collecting the last of the Pilgrim stamps they got each day.
At times the journey was hard going. Paul explained,
“Among the many trials, blisters, blue toenails, lost nails, an infected toe, and a fall, it was that infected toe that was the greatest hurdle.
“It turned every step into agony, demanding care, patience, and planning around resting, while still pushing ahead.”
22 miles without food
The couple said the toughest stretch was 22 miles without food in France when they overlooked the fact that it was a bank holiday Monday and “everything was closed.”
Thankfully they had plenty of water to keep them going, and a generous Dutch couple gave them food.
They said their experiences included,
“Encounters with a snake on the path, little wall lizards darting under olive trees, and deer in the woods.
“Twenty-nine days straight without a washing machine, laundry done in sinks and showers, paired with nights of wild camping, memorable stay with the nuns in Wisques, noisy and dirty hostels, and the occasional blissfully clean and quiet stay.”
Sponsors thanked
The Southwells – who said they didn’t have a single argument en route – offered a “big thank you to Heathfield Forest Touring Park, Yates Brewery, and Wightlink for sponsoring us.”
Now the couple are looking forward to the next major event in their lives – becoming grandparents in January.
