Day 18: Thank You!

Day 18, what a day!

We had an earlier start today as we were up against a deadline! With a BBQ calling at 12:00, we set off from Starcross at 07:30, joined by Archdeacon Andrew Beane, Cranbrook Scouts, and lots of lovely additional walkers. After one last group photo, we made our way along the coastal path to Topsham, as with no formal aid station today, the Topsham River Crossing would be our first official stop. We want to say a massive 'thank you' to the ferryman John, who started half an hour earlier on his Sunday morning to ensure that we all got across without a delay to our initial timeline.

After powering through the fields around Sowton we made our way up to The Black Horse so that we could walk along the main road home to Cranbrook Church. Before arriving, we had one last “send-off” – watching the RAF Red Arrows take off from Exeter Airport – totally planned by us…. (not). As soon as Laura gave us the signal, we all took the last few steps of the walk down Younghayes Road, straight onto our Church land.

And that was it… we were home. Met by the most amazing, supportive and welcoming crowd… Cranbrook Church and a sizzling BBQ.

As the two of us round up today, reflecting on what the last 18 days have been, the overwhelming feeling is of gratitude for this incredible opportunity and, most importantly, to the many, many people who have made this possible...

To those who have baked, thank you for fuelling the team. There were many days where the work of your hands got the boys through!

To those who have driven people around (especially on some pretty hairy roads!), we couldn't have done this without you.

To those who rocked up at aid stations to cheer the walkers on, your encouragement gave us all such a boost.

To those who laced up their boots and joined the boys for a leg of their journey, your enthusiasm inspired the boys to carry on, and your fundraising will help to lay the bricks of Cranbrook Church.

To those who held the fort while Jon was away, organising prayer sessions, managing Sundays, and all the bits in between, none of this would've happened without your dedication and faithful service. It's such a blessing to have such an awesome team of people leading the way.

To St. Martin's Primary School, for your unwavering support (both on and off the walk), your prayers, enthusiasm and dedication, we are so uniquely blessed to have a school that's so 'for' Cranbrook Church.

To those who sent messages of support and words of encouragement, commented on the blog and social media, each message reminded us of what every painful step was for.

To those who prayed for us and the event, its smooth running and our enduring friendship likely would not have been possible without you.

To the kind strangers we've met along the way, who've donated snacks and placed cash in our hands, thank you for investing in our cause and bringing a smile to our faces.

To the team that planned the welcoming party today, thank you for making our return home so special and creating a glimpse of what our Church land could become.

To our generous and gracious hosts, thank you for opening your homes to our rabble! We've been astounded by the generosity of family, friends and strangers - we aspire to reflect the same generosity in our own lives.

To Lydia, Rae and Seth, thank you for all of the sacrifices that you make that enable Jon to minister in the way he does, and for supporting and loving him so well.

To Cranbrook Church, thank you for being the family that has made this whole project worthwhile and so fulfilling.

And most importantly, we are so grateful to God for gifting us with this special community and for safely carrying us through.

People of Cranbrook and beyond, we are so excited to be able to fling the doors of Cranbrook Church's building wide open and welcome you, but, although we don't have physical doors of our own yet, the invitation is already there. Our arms are open, and we are so excited to welcome you home.

We're not sure how much we've raised yet, but the way the community has joined together in support of this event is a major success in itself.

So with grateful hearts and tired (and teary!) eyes, we bid farewell... but not before sharing some snaps of Day 18: Starcross to Cranbrook.

10.36 miles, 113m of ascent, and a final 24,044 steps.

It's been the biggest pleasure and privilege...

Ailie and Katie x

The final morning photo.

Heading to Topsham.

Nearly at the River Crossing!

Taking it all in.

An important message from Archdeacon Andrew Beane.

Sincerely, thank you.

They made it.