Daniel Forrester - I'll be in Spain by Christmas

Daniel Forrester set off on a 5,000-mile journey from Saint Francis Hospice to Ghana last month to fulfil a promise he made to his fiancée Caroline. He has already walked more than 540 miles crossed France and is expecting to cross into Spain by Christmas Day. Here Daniel shares an update on his experience so far and why he is determined to raise vital funds for the hospice that cared for Caroline at the end of her life.

Saturday 6th December marked a month since I set off from Romford. When I walked out of Saint Francis Hospice on 6th November, I knew this journey would test me in every way possible. By the end of Friday (5th December) I had walked 540 miles. That’s 540 miles of grit, pain, and determination.

I expect to cross the border into Spain before Christmas Day. Right now, I’m deep into France and expect to reach Lourdes in the next 10 days. If I keep pushing, I’ll make it. I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved so far. This isn’t just a walk, it’s a promise I made to Caroline and a way to keep her memory alive.

There have been moments when I thought I couldn’t go on. Early on, between Canterbury and Folkestone, I was convinced I’d broken my ankle. The swelling was bad, but thankfully it eased. Then came shin splints – agonising pain that made every step feel like fire. Compression socks saved me there. And the blisters? Some were the size of Jaffa cakes. Add to that, a backpack that weighs as much as a two-year-old child. Physically, this has been brutal. Mentally, there have been dark days too. But I’m in a better place now. Every mile reminds me why I’m doing this.

I’ve set myself a minimum of 100 miles a week, and so far, I’m averaging 120. The first week I was flying and I completed 166 miles, but that pace wasn’t sustainable. Now I’m steady, focused, and taking it one day at a time. Some days feel easier, others are a battle. Usually, it’s the last 10k that really tests me. I dig deep, cross the line, and then wake up knowing I have to do it all again. My body is adapting, slowly but surely.

Along the way, I’ve met incredible people. A cousin near Paris gave me a bed for the night. A friend in France also put out a call on social media, and two strangers opened their doors to me for a night. Those acts of kindness mean the world. They remind me that this journey isn’t just mine – it’s shared by everyone who believes in what I’m doing.

Because this isn’t just about walking. It’s about Caroline. She was the love of my life. She was beautiful, kind, selfless, and full of joy. When cancer took her, it broke me. But before she died, I told her that I’d take her ashes home to Kumasi, Ghana. That’s what this 5,000-mile walk is all about. It’s my way of honouring her and raising money for Saint Francis Hospice, the place that cared for her so compassionately in her final days.

I miss Caroline every single day. But I feel her with me. She gives me strength when the road feels endless. And as Christmas approaches, I am getting closer to Spain and a step closer to Kumasi and a step closer to fulfilling my promise to Caroline.