Best bits: crossing the line with a fantastic support team
Worst bits: it’s finished!!!!
Well, the day was finally here — 365 days , 5108 miles and 11,216,699 steps after setting off, I was returning to the Beatson Hospital to officially cross the finish line.
I could hardly contain my excitement as we drove there early in the morning, ready for a live interview on BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland. When we arrived, Allan, the parking attendant, had kindly reserved a space for Priscilla. He remembered me setting off a year ago and greeted me with a warm congratulations on my return — such a lovely full-circle moment.
As the morning unfolded, more and more people began to arrive. First came the staff from Beatson Cancer Charity, then representatives from the other charities I’ve been supporting — Marie Curie, Brainstrust, and CoppaFeel! — followed by family, friends, and many members of my support crew.
I felt so incredibly blessed. So many fantastic people have taken an interest in my journey and given me the support I needed along the way. There’s no way I could have achieved this enormous challenge without them, and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Soon it was time for another interview with the press agency, followed by what felt like a thousand photographs — it was like being a celebrity surrounded by paparazzi! I posed in different charity t-shirts, with and without the crowd, with and without the giant “5000” balloons, flowers, confetti, cheers — and even through a joyful archway of people. We finished with a rendition of the I have walked 5,000 miles dance.
Just as we finished, the rain began to pour, so we all moved indoors for tea, refreshments, and lots of hugs, smiles, and catch-ups. It was a fantastic morning — full of emotion, laughter, and reunion. I was pleased to get a photo with Will and Danny.
I even squeezed in an interview for Classic FM before heading home with Heather and Janette.
Meanwhile, back at the house, a leak specialist arrived to find and fix the water system leak — and miraculously, he did! That meant one thing: I could finally enjoy my first leisurely bath at home. Bliss.
The celebrations didn’t stop there. That evening, we hosted another gathering, even bigger than the night before. The house was filled with people from all walks of life — different places, backgrounds, and stories — all united by one shared connection: they’d been part of my incredible support crew.
At 9:45 p.m., I did one last interview for Radio 5 Live, which would air in the early hours of the morning. Only then did I finally begin to unwind.
Our home has always been full of people, laughter, and celebration. But that night, I felt Angela’s absence deeply. She was always the perfect host, ensuring everyone’s glass was full and that there was plenty to eat and drink. We were such a team — circulating separately but always coming together. She adored fizz, especially with a splash of Chambord, and so that’s exactly what we all raised in her honour.
Cheers, my love.
Heather and Janette took charge of the clearing up, and by the time we crawled into bed it was 1:30 a.m. — far too late to write a blog, but the perfect end to a truly unforgettable day.
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