Robert White finishes Coast Path Challenge

Robert White was applauded by friends, family and holidaymakers as he approached the Sloop Inn in St.Ives at 5pm on Friday 15th May - taking the last few paces of the 102 mile Coast Path Challenge. He was exhausted but proud to have completed the walk from Falmouth to St.Ives in five days, in memory of his brother Charlie White. Charlie had tragically died earlier this year from Lymphoma – he had been supported in the latter stages of his illness by CLIC Sargent and Robert embarked on his walk to raise money for Charlie’s chosen charity.

The five-day expedition started at Pendennis Head, Falmouth on 11th May. Robert and his friend, Richard Moxham, had self-imposed strict rules for the coastal walk – they had decided to carry all their provisions and camping equipment. As a result each of their rucksacks weighed 56lbs (four stone). They cooked military rations on camping stoves and camped in fields or on public moorland. (There would be no diversions into beach restaurants, no hot baths or showers and no respite in B&B’s or camp sites).  

The weather, however, could not be pre-planned and the long range forecast looked ominous.  Only eight miles into the walk their first obstacle was finding the Helford passenger ferry on the coast-path route closed due to high winds and choppy seas.

The five-day ordeal proved to be as challenging as many of Robert’s friends warned it would be. On the morning of the second day, Richard was unable to continue. Although friends and family pledged to walk with him from day three onwards, Robert completed the remaining 16 miles on Tuesday with an even heavier pack, from Kennack Sands – around The Lizard – to Poldhu, reaching his Tuesday night camp site at 9pm. This was the low-point of the expedition – after two days Robert collapsed into his sleeping bag in his solitary tent knowing that the forecast was deteriorating. A second challenge came later in the week – after an arduous day four – in the form of gale force overnight weather conditions. Robert was woken at 3am by force wind and rain squalls.  His tent was pitched near the cliff edge and in the night he was forced to change into his damp clothing, leave the tent and check his guy-ropes.

Despite these challenges, Robert admits that the walk went largely to plan. Most of the five-day legs were completed in the expected times reaching the intended destinations. From the morning of day three onwards he was joined by members of his family – parents, step-father and Charlie’s girlfriend Hannah – and by friends who walked with him every remaining step of the way. The companionship and moral support from friends and family was one of the things Robert enjoyed most about his journey. He also met many characters along the way – the nice ‘toilet man’ at Poldhu Cove who opened up early, residents at The Lizard and Kennack Sands who let him use their phones when he lost reception, and eventually the jolly holidaymakers at The Sloop Inn who cheered Robert home and enjoyed playing ‘pass the charity bucket’!

There were also plenty of amusing incidents. On day one Robert and Richard were convinced they were being stalked by a pair of Mallard ducks who followed them from Maenporth Beach to the Helford Estuary and beyond. A foot massage from Hannah at Kynance Cove was a welcome diversion. Walking with Highland cattle at Predannack with the longest horns Robert had ever seen was a worrying moment. The offer of a lightweight tent from neighbour, Paul (and a bottle of whisky which Robert declined!) on Wednesday night was well timed – replacing the sodden tent in his back-pack.  Step-dad, Mike, received a text message on Thursday night reading ‘Aaaarrrggghh so many midgies!’

Family and friends who have sponsored Robert are overwhelmed by his achievement and know that his brother, Charlie, would have been so impressed.  Robert admits that the walk along the rugged Cornish coastline was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life. 

Robert and Richard's efforts are set to raise over £5,000 for CLIC Sargent. After the walk had finished, Robert took a shower and joined his family and friends in The Sloop Inn for dinner. The closely knit family members who had stayed by Charlie’s side during his ordeal were together reflecting on the last five days – and the last five months.