The hospital director at one of the north east’s top veterinary referral centres is putting his best foot forward for an epic fundraising hike which will see him walk almost 100 miles in five days.
Darren Stubbs, who leads the team at Linnaeus-owned Wear Referrals in County Durham, is embarking on a walk of the 96-mile West Highland Way from September 11 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Darren, who joined Wear as hospital director in 2019, regularly walks with his two German Shorthaired Pointers Gracie and Martha, clocking more than 40 miles per week, but admits tackling the wild landscapes of one of Scotland’s most imposing long-distance routes will be altogether different.
He said: “Walking the West Highland Way (WHW) has been on my ‘bucket list’ for some time. I had hoped to do it in 2020 when I turned 50 but, of course, the pandemic hit us and, along with so many people’s plans, it had to be postponed.
“It’s safe to say I like a walk but 20/21 miles a day for four days and then 15 on the final day is a lot more than I have done before.
“I’ve hiked 26 miles three times on charity walks but they have been singular efforts. The most I have walked the day after one of those challenges is 10 miles following this year’s MacMillan Mighty hike, as I knew I was doing the WHW so needed to know how I would feel.”
Darren, who is completing the walk with two good friends he grew up with in Scotland, said the trio had booked accommodation en-route, which means a daily mileage of 20 miles for three days, 21 miles on one day and 15 miles on the final day into Fort William.
He said: “I am really excited about doing the walk, as I know the scenery will be amazing and to be out in that terrain with only walking and the surroundings to consider for a full five days will just be fantastic.
“I started doing some extra training in May when on holiday on the Isle of Skye and then followed that up with a few good walks of 10 to 20 miles in July when we were in Northumberland, so I’m not too worried about the distance, although I’ve never walked that far for five days in a row before.
“I’m a bit concerned about what the weather will be, as Scotland in September could feel like the end of summer, start of winter or anything in between!
“It’s also going to be pretty hilly, so that will be a challenge and, worst of all, the midges, which I have all sorts of devices and potions to try and deter!”
Cancer Research is a cause close to Darren’s heart and he is already closing in on the £500 fundraising target he set himself.
He added: “In the past year, my wife Debbie has lost her lovely Aunty Sandra to cancer, while her dad and uncle have both received treatment. In recent years, she has also lost her mum and Aunty Sue to cancer, while other members of the family have received treatment, so it really is a cause we care passionately about supporting.”
To donate to Darren’s epic WHW fundraiser, visit: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/west-highland-way-walk-raising-money-for-cancer-research.
For more information on Wear Referrals, which is part of Linnaeus, visit: www.wear-referrals.co.uk or search for Wear Referrals on social media.
