Morecambe pensioner raises thousands for hospice on John O'Groats to Land's End trek

Monday, 30 June 2025 at 11:39

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A Morecambe hiker has achieved his ambition to walk from John O'Groats to Land's End in less than 40 days in memory of a close friend.

Gary Taylor completed the famous walk across the length of Great Britain in 36 days, seven hours and 47 minutes with no rest days.

Gary covered 924 miles including 50,956 feet of climbing.

If you include short breaks during most days, he walked for 319 hours or for more than 13 days - finishing on Monday June 23.

He said the support of his wife Diane and her best friend Adele Manley, who between them managed the camper van HQ, with Adele driving over 1,850 miles, was vital to the operation.

Adele's husband John, Gary's friend, was cared for by St John's Hospice in Lancaster before his death in 2024.

Below, Diane and Adele with the camper van.

"The hospice staff were very caring and I went to visit him quite often," said Gary, speaking to Beyond Radio before setting off.

"I saw the great work they do there and the way they care for people with dignity.

John is pictured below with his grandson Fraser

"We lost John on May 18 last year so we're setting off on May 18 this year, in memory of John.

"Adele spoke to her son Miles and asked what do you think, if we took some of John's ashes and scattered them at John O'Groats and Land's End as a memorial to John.

"John and I were great walkers. We walked thousands of miles over the years and we often talked about the big one, John O'Groats to Land's End, but we were busy and there was never the time."

So far, the walk has raised more than £6300 for the hospice.

St John's Hospice provides care to patients with life limiting conditions throughout North Lancashire, South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire.

You can donate HERE.

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