Having completed an ambitious walking challenge to raise funds for Hospiscare in 2025 Mark finds himself ready to set off for another fundraising mission. He shares why he has set his sights on another epic campaign, with a unique historical flavour.
“I said to myself that I wouldn’t do one this year! But this summer I thought, well, why not…I could do another one and make it slightly different. Within 24 hours, it was all planned and ready to go.”
Mark’s previous walk – joined by family, friends and fellow re-enactment group members along the way – was themed around the 340th anniversary of the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth.
Mark’s next challenge involves turning back the clock even further, from 1675 to the dawn of the first millennium AD, as he’ll be marching dressed as a Roman legionary soldier.
“This year, my route will be flatter, following the River Parrett from its source to Lyme Regis, and back again – covering 15-20 miles a day. I’ll be carrying a Roman shield, and a ‘gladius’ too. Thankfully the gear is a little lighter than it was for the Romans!”
At the heart of Mark’s march lies a meaning much closer to home. He’s walking in memory of his dad, David, who was cared for at home by Hospiscare when he became unwell in 2019.
“When Dad was ill, and Hospiscare stepped in, everything just seemed to work so efficiently, with minimal fuss. A whole array of nurses and specialists came out. They looked after Mum just as much as they did Dad, making sure that she was always in the loop of what was going on, supporting her. Nothing seemed too much, or impossible.
“Mum now volunteers in the Hospiscare shop in Cullompton, and even after 7 years, they still phone her up to see how she’s doing.”
“Hospiscare did such a good job helping Dad, and helping Mum. They make sure everyone and everything is okay around the person, and the person who needs help the most.
“I think what I’m doing is small change compared to what they did for them. So they’ll always have my support.”
Not only will Mark have the backing of friends, colleagues and family, he also finds outposts of supporters on the road:
“A couple of times on my last walk, a car would drive past and people would get out to ask if I was ok. I’d be dripping with sweat, and probably looked like a right mess! They’d give me biscuits, bottled water, all kinds of stuff, just to keep me going!”
Whilst Mark will be accompanied during the march by various guest walkers, there will be times where he’ll be marching alone. He describes these periods as a time for reflection: about memories of his dad, and why he’s walking:
“When it starts getting hard, you ask yourself, why am I doing this? If Dad was doing this walk, he would find it tough, but he wouldn’t give up. His whole life was about looking after his family, making sure they’re provided for. So there’s a feeling that you need to give back, and help other people.
“Dad is definitely going to be in my thoughts during the walk. He’d have called me an absolute nutter for doing it of course, but he’d also have been walking next to me, and would certainly have enjoyed it. He’d probably be rattling his donation tin too!”
Mark starts his Roman march on 21 September. You can hear more about the challenge, and make a donation if you’d like to, on his Just Giving page.
You can also follow Mark’s daily Roman march vlogs on his History Workshops Youtube.
We wish Mark ‘bonam fortunam!’ on behalf of everyone at Hospiscare.
