Story inspires Bill Bryson to take part in hike
Aug 27 2010 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal
A FATHER and son who came through a double cancer ordeal have inspired travel writer Bill Bryson to pull on his walking boots for a cross-country hike.
The popular author, who is also Chancellor of Durham University, is to accompany friend Jon Davidson, from Durham City, on a coast-to-coast walk to raise money for cancer charities.
The 200-mile hike has been organised to thank health workers who cared for both Mr Davidson and his eight-year-old son, Max, when they were diagnosed with leukaemia.
Max was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2006, and is now in remission having completed a three-year course of treatment.
His father was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant six months later.
He is also now on the road to recovery.
The idea for tackling the walk came from Mr Davidson’s friend, Craig Wilson, after he witnessed the father and son being successfully treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Mr Wilson, who is the managing director at Hewlett Packard and based in London, will also be joining his friend for the walk, which starts this weekend.
Bill Bryson will be joining the duo for the first few days when they set out to follow in the footsteps of legendary walker, Alfred Wainwright.
Mr Davidson, 50, of Kimblesworth Grange, Potterhouse Lane, said: “I’m much better now and Max is also doing well thanks to the excellent care that we’ve received. Our family and friends want to say thank you to all those who have cared for and helped us through a very difficult period.
“By walking this beautiful path between the west and east coasts we hope to raise awareness and money to help leukaemia sufferers, and we’re delighted that Bill can join us.”
Mr Davidson is a professor of earth sciences at Durham University.
He said: “We’ll be travelling across the Cumbria on Saturday and beginning our walk on Sunday.”
Mr Davidson and Mr Wilson will set out from St Bees, in Cumbria on Sunday and hope to arrive in Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire, 13 days later.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend the pair will be joined by half-a-dozen friends and family, including Mr Bryson.
Mr Bryson said: “Jon and Max have shown tremendous strength and determination to overcome their illnesses.
“As a family friend, I am delighted at the progress they have made and I am extremely pleased to support this fundraising walk for such a worthy cause.”
Mr Bryson has previously walked the Appalachian Trail in the US, which is more than 2,000 miles long.
He wrote a book about the experience, aptly named A Walk in the Woods, so he is well prepared for the coast-to-coast trek.
Friends and family of the Davidsons have already managed to raise more than £11,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
Mr Davidson hopes that the walk will encourage more people to make a donation, as well as raise awareness of the disease.
:: ANYONE wishing to support the walkers in their mammoth efforts can log on to their fundraising webpage at www.justgiving.com/Jon-Davidson
