Teenager Alex Reynaert heads to Portsmouth to start 75-mile endurance walk in memory of his grandfather
A teenager is taking on an endurance challenge that starts in Portsmouth - in memory of his grandfather
Teenager Alexander Reynaert has decided to honour his grandfather’s memory and raise money for pancreatic cancer by undergoing the immense challenge of walking 75 miles in a day and a night.
This hike will see Alex come to Portsmouth to begin his walk this evening and continue to Thursday evening. Although he joked his main goal is simply to finish the walk, Alex is aiming to “complete it in under 24 hours”, the feat only enhanced by the fact he will be taking no significant breaks throughout the hike, but walking through the day and night.
Alex, who has just finished his A-levels, said: “If you have the why, and if you have the motivation, you can do anything.”
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Alex decided in October last year to do the walk. The incentive for his walk came from the lasting memory of his grandpa David Griffiths, as well as his desire to raise awareness and money for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. He aims to make people more aware of pancreatic cancer, to which his grandfather sadly lost his life, after five years of battling cancer following an unexpected diagnosis. He died in 2007 aged 67.
His grandpa unfortunately passed away before Alex was born, however Alex states that his presence lives on, as “throughout [his] childhood, and whole life, [his] family has talked specifically about grandpa.”
Alex, who is walking back to his home in Reading, says the support he has received has been overwhelming, from both his family and the wider community. As well as his family being “the voice of reason” who have been there “throughout all the planning stages and preparation,” Alex has also received a great deal of support after he and his mother shared his journey on social media.
An “amazing supportive factor” came from those who have shared their own stories of experiences with pancreatic cancer, and has been “really, really eye opening” for Alex. This support has also played a significant role in him very nearly reaching his £2000 target of money raised.
Alex says he holds the values of his grandpa to this day, explaining how his grandpa’s story and memory have taught him about “never taking anything for granted,” and instead that “you should live life as fully as possible.” Alex also said that he wants his grandpa to be remembered not only “for his resilience” but as the “kind-hearted, caring man he was.”