Two friends from Birmingham are embarking on an extraordinary challenge, walking over 1,000 miles in 60 days to honour their grandparents and raise funds for Dementia UK. Freddie Stange, 20, and Seth Jones, 19, both from Longbridge, will set off on Friday, May 1, from Land's End in Cornwall, aiming to reach John o' Groats in Scotland by the end of June.
The pair, who have been friends since primary school, work as warehouse operatives. Their motivation stems from the impact dementia has had on their families. Freddie's grandfather, John, passed away in December 2025 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "He was an avid walker and cyclist, but over the last 10 years he just deteriorated," Freddie recalled. John's decline was particularly poignant given his previously active lifestyle.
Seth's grandmother, Beryl, died in January 2024 at age 93 after living with dementia. He described her as a "caring" person who "fought the battle silently to keep everyone else happy." Seth noted that the disease affects not only the individual but also their loved ones, as his family would often care for Beryl five or six days a week after work.
The 1,195-mile route will take the friends through England and Scotland, averaging about 20 miles of walking per day. They have prepared extensively for the challenge, which will include Seth's 20th birthday in June. The duo plans to "strategically plan the day" to enjoy a pub visit and meet Seth's parents along the way.
Freddie described the upcoming journey as "surreal" and emphasized their fundraising goal: "The sky's the limit." They hope to raise thousands of pounds for Dementia UK, a charity providing specialist nursing care for those affected by dementia.
To support Freddie and Seth's cause, donations can be made through their fundraising page.
