UK200 Group’s ‘It’s Not The Olympics 2012’ event is a torch relay around the UK without the use of modern motorised transport, with the aim of raising £50,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Nine intrepid Randall & Payne employees volunteered to do the 39 miles from Stroud to Witney in one day!

Various plans were discussed but the idea of cycling the route was dismissed and the idea for the misleadingly titled ‘Stroll in the park’ was born. The brave volunteers were Mike Anthony, James Barker, John Barker, Rob Case, Eirlys Greenough, Chris Mattos, Alex Rolfe, Jane Spashett, and Tim Watkins with Tim Farley as the nominated support vehicle driver.

On Tuesday 19th July 2011 at 5.50am the nine met at Rodborough Court near Stroud and started walking at 6.02am. The early pace was brisk and enthusiastic and the walkers only stopped at planned check points for drinks and bananas and to collect money from encouraging passers-by. By 9.10 at Sapperton, two landmark events had happened: they had covered 10 miles and the first of many blisters had appeared.

By this time Radio Gloucestershire had heard of the team’s exploits. Thoughts of international fame and glory encouraged the walkers to strike out for Cirencester.

The long, hard walk along the Broad Ride began to take it’s toll as the group could see Cirencester Abbey taunting them for miles before they finally arrived for a longer break.

A few navigational problems then occurred as the planned path couldn’t be found. Undeterred, the remaining group took the road instead but this added several miles onto their trip and unsurprisingly the pace began to slacken. The lunch stop at 12.30 was brief as joints began to stiffen up and maintaining morale was looking difficult as this was only just over half way.

Our scheduled stop at Ready Token saw Tim Watkins and James join the support vehicle, but the remaining walkers received a morale boost in the form of a fly past by a Lancaster bomber!

At 3pm some rebellious members of the group decided that a pub break was needed so a few ciders were drunk to toast reaching 25 miles.

By 5.45pm they reached the The Cotswold Wildlife Park and James had rejoined the group. The GPS informed them there were 7 miles to go: so near and yet so far!

The brave band struggled on, but by 40 miles the numbers of walkers had been reduced to just three. The valiant three struggled on through exhaustion and blisters, finally reaching their destination after 42.7 miles at 8.45pm.

An incredible achievement by all!