Walking through grief and finding new beginnings: Finley’s story
Finley embarked on the 1,300-mile trek in memory of close family friend Elliot in June 2025, raising £3,645 for Sue Ryder. Averaging fifteen miles a day with his Border Collie, Reggie, he embraced the solitude of the trail, wild‑camping most nights and documenting the journey online. However, just nineteen days in, a chance encounter has proved to be life-changing in more ways than one.
Honouring Elliot’s memory
Elliot was cared for at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in July 2024, and Finley carried that experience with him every day of the walk.
“Sue Ryder provided incredible support to Elliot and his family, and I wanted to give back in a meaningful way,” he said.
Sue Ryder provided incredible support to Elliot and his family, and I wanted to give back in a meaningful way.
Behind every mile was the determination to honour Elliot’s life and the care he received. And when the journey became difficult, Finley found himself leaning on that purpose.
“A couple of days I was struggling for somewhere to stay I would think ‘what would Elliot do?’ He led me two separate times to the nearest pub, which both times happened to have room for a tent without any stress. I really believe he would've been very grateful and slightly mind blown that I'd done this in his memory.”
Fundraising in memory of someone special celebrates their life and makes a positive contribution to Sue Ryder’s work in their name.
A meeting that changed the route
On the final day of her family’s walk on the West Highland Way, 31‑year‑old Lauren crossed paths with Finley. She noticed Reggie first and then the conversation began.
“Me and my family were all at different places, so I was on my own just coming over the Devil’s Staircase. I stopped to talk to Reggie first and Fin literally had to talk to me,” Lauren said. “He told me what he was doing and gave me his Instagram.”
Finley hadn’t been looking for connection.
“I was just out of a relationship when I started the walk so it was the last thing on my mind really, but as soon as I met Lauren, I knew we’d definitely see each other again.”
After following his journey online and exchanging messages, Lauren arranged to meet him again, rearranging shifts and making a detour during a trip south to visit her sister. Her arrival happened to coincide with Reggie taking a short break from the walk, due to an injured paw.
I was just out of a relationship when I started the walk so it was the last thing on my mind really, but as soon as I met Lauren, I knew we’d definitely see each other again.
The companionship meant more than both expected.
“I think the hardest parts of the trek for me were when I didn’t have Reg or Lauren with me,” Finley said.
“It was definitely a mental challenge to be by myself for a couple of weeks…When Lauren was with me it was really nice just talking and chatting, about memories and funny things.”
Pushing through the hardest miles
Having spent several years working as a golf course greenkeeper, travelling through Spain and Portugal, and living in his camper van in Cornwall, Finley is no stranger to the great outdoors.
But this trek - starting on the John O’Groats Trail to Inverness and passing iconic landscapes such as Ben Nevis and the Pennine Way - was his most ambitious challenge yet. Just six days in, he developed severe shin splints.
“Every step was so painful. I thought I wouldn’t be able to carry on. When I saw a new donation, it kept me going. I still can’t believe I’ve done it.”
Every step was so painful. I thought I wouldn’t be able to carry on. When I saw a new donation, it kept me going. I still can’t believe I’ve done it.
Reaching Land’s End together
After walking segments of the route with Finley earlier on, Lauren made her way to Land’s End to welcome him at the finish line.
“After I joined him on the walk, I was like I’ve got to go to Land’s End!” she said. “I thought about him every single day.”
Once the walk was complete, Finley returned to his camper van and Lauren was planning to buy one of her own. Their lives steadily intertwined.
“Lauren was planning to get a van and save up money, and I knew I would be back in my van when I’d finished my walk. I drove up from Land’s End to Edinburgh. It’s pretty crazy to be honest, but I like it,” Finley said.
The couple first moved to Edinburgh before settling in Tayport, where they now plan future adventures together.
“We were thinking we could walk across Ireland, and we want to do a lot of the Camino. And we did St Cuthbert’s Way for Lauren’s birthday.”
Walking as a way through grief
For Finley, the journey has become a lasting reminder of what the outdoors can offer, especially during grief.
“Walking is the best medicine. If you’re going through grief, get out in nature and try to enjoy what’s around you. You can definitely achieve more than you think you can if you push yourself — and having a cause like Sue Ryder gives you a lot of motivation.”
Walking is the best medicine. If you’re going through grief, get out in nature and try to enjoy what’s around you.
What started as a tribute to Elliot’s life ended up giving Finley something unexpected: healing, connection and a new chapter he never imagined when he first set out from John O’Groats.
“Doing this walk is definitely a memory that’ll live forever with me.”
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