Walking together through life — and through cancer
Martin and Janet met on a charity walk for St Luke’s Hospice and have spent nearly 30 years raising money together. Now, one of them is receiving the care they helped fund.
When Martin first joined a charity walk for St Luke’s Hospice in 1996, he didn’t expect it to change his life forever — let alone lead to love.
He was in his early 40s, a primary school teacher from Wembley, keen to take on the challenge of Hadrian’s Wall and raise money for people with life-limiting illnesses.
“I’d only ever done one-day charity walks before,” he says. “But once you discover you can do it, it’s addictive. You’re out in nature, you feel fit, and you’re doing something good.”
Two years later, on the South Downs Way, Martin met Janet.
It was the third St Luke’s walk for both of them, but they hadn’t crossed paths until then. The walk began at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, and from that point, they stuck together.
“We just ended up walking and chatting the whole way,” Janet recalls. “I remember once my coach was delayed, and I thought he’d have gone on without me — but he’d waited.”
Romance wasn’t on her mind at the time. “I didn’t know if he was involved with anybody. I didn’t ask — I was far too polite.”
They stayed in touch afterwards, meeting to swap photos — printed, not digital — and before long they were going for meals, taking holidays and walking together regularly.
Janet had been part of the walks from the beginning. It was her mother, also a keen supporter, who had first encouraged her to join. “She and I both went on the first walk, along Hadrian’s Wall. She came on the next two as well, though she was walking a different distance from me.”
Since that chance meeting on the South Downs, Martin and Janet have completed most of the annual St Luke’s walks together. “It’s just lovely — being outdoors, meeting good people and supporting an important cause,” Martin says.
Martin believes he’s walked parts of every route since 1996. Janet estimates she’s raised around £1,000 each year, thanks to strong support from her local church, St Augustine’s in Wembley Park.
“Our church supported the hospice right from the start,” she says. “I even went to the launch meeting.”
St Luke’s Annual Walk is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 with the Cornish Coastal Challenge — a special route that Janet and Martin hope to join in some capacity.
But their journey took a different turn in October 2023, when Martin was diagnosed with cancer for the second time.
“A lump came up on my shoulder blade,” he says. “I’ve always been healthy, never smoked. The surgeon said sometimes it’s just bad luck.”
The cancer now causes pain in his shoulder and neck, making walking more difficult — though he still managed five miles during this year’s walk.
Today, Martin receives support from St Luke’s not just as a fundraiser, but as a patient.
“St Luke’s helps me with physio, and the palliative care team come to see me at home. They’re very good. They help me manage the pain.”
For Janet, it brings everything full circle. “For a long time you do the walks without knowing who you’re helping. But now Martin is being supported by them, it all feels very worthwhile.”
Janet’s mother also received care from St Luke’s before she died, and Janet speaks highly of the support provided.
As they look ahead to the upcoming milestone walk, Janet says, “Because of Martin’s situation, we’re just hoping we’ll be alright. We’re hoping to take part in some way.”
After nearly three decades of raising money for others, Martin is now one of the people your donations support — helping him walk not only the charity trails he loves, but also the more difficult path through illness, with dignity and comfort.
Find out more about the 2026 Cornish Coastal Challenge by visiting our St Luke’s Annual Walk page.
