A man from Gloucestershire has completed an epic 900-kilometre pilgrimage walk across Spain, raising a significant sum for the hospice that cared for his late wife.
A Journey in Memory of Katy
Matt Miles recently finished the famous Camino de Santiago trail, walking nearly 900km from rugged mountains to coastal paths. This demanding trek was a central part of his "Miles for Katy" fundraising campaign, which has already generated more than £9,000 for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Matt's wife, Katy, a former Detective Sergeant with Gloucestershire Constabulary, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016. She spent her final three weeks at the hospice, where Matt and her sister, Lucy, lived with her. "We couldn’t have asked for more support," Matt shared. "Everyone made an impossibly difficult time bearable."
His fundraising target is set at £10,481, a figure based on Katy's police collar number, 1481. With the incredible support from donors, this goal is now firmly within sight.
Emotional Moments on the Trail
Although he walked solo, Matt carried Katy's memory with him every step of the way, noting she had always wanted to complete the Camino herself. At the traditional halfway point, where pilgrims leave an item from home, Matt left one of Katy's earrings. "So a part of her is on the trail," he explained.
The journey was physically and emotionally challenging. One difficult day, heavy rain and a booking error for accommodation tested his resolve. That evening, however, he checked his fundraising page to find a £500 donation. "It completely turned my day around," he said.
The people he met provided profound motivation. He recalled a poignant dinner with another pilgrim who had also lost his wife the previous year, creating a deep bond of shared experience.
The Fundraising Journey Continues
Reflecting on his achievement, Matt believes Katy "would be immensely proud" and would have loved the social aspect of the trek. Completing the Camino is just one step in his wider fundraising mission.
His efforts will culminate with running the London Marathon next year. Before that, his next challenge is The Big Dip in Cheltenham on December 7th, a cold-water swimming event at Cheltenham Lido. "I’m not usually a fan of swimming," Matt admitted, "so this one will definitely feel like a challenge for me."
You can support Matt's campaign by visiting his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/matthew-miles-1. To learn more about The Big Dip Cheltenham, visit sueryder.org/bigdipcheltenham.
