20 VICTORY WALK
WHO WOULD REACH RETIREMENT AND - RATHER THAN PUTTING THEIR FEET UP FOR A VERY WELL-EARNED REST - SELL THEIR HOME, MOVE INTO A MOTORHOME, AND PUT THEIR LIFE ON HOLD FOR 2 YEARS WHILST WALKING SOLO THE WRONG WAY ROUND THE COASTLINE OF MAINLAND BRITAIN?
RETIRED ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE COMMANDER JANE ALLEN
vital contribution made by naval women over the last century - retired Royal Naval Reserve Commander Jane Allen! Jane started from Admiral Nel-
T
son’s flagship, HMS Victory, in Ports- mouth on 21 October 2017, bring- ing the aptly named Victory Walk to
he incredibly inspirational, unfailingly modest, and irrepressible champion of the
and equal commitment Jane simply could not have contemplated such a mission, let alone accomplished it. “I think Frank sometimes had
a harder time of it than I – the logistics of finding somewhere to park the van overnight; keeping us fed, providing countless pots of tea; trying to dry my all-weather gear in the tiny space we called home ready for the next day … even making rendezvous points ‘on time’
enthusiasm to open the motorhome door every morning”
a conclusion there on 6th Septem- ber 2019 – 2 years packed with adventures, wonderful characters, serious injury, family events, the incredible kindness of strangers, some of the worst weather this country has experienced for a long time and an indomitable will to head out day after day for yet another gruelling 15-17 miles or so, no matter what… But let us not forget that 5,495
miles later she is still being support- ed by her personal hero – husband Frank without whose dedication
when he never knew what time I might arrive. All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the scenery.” But putting one foot in front of the other through The Beast from the East, for mile after mile of coastal wilderness without seeing another soul for hours on end, or in excruciating pain following an horrific fall was most definitely NOT easy! As Frank, her staunchest support-
er will testify. “I do not know how Jane could summon up the effort, the energy or the enthusiasm to
And those charities were very
close to both their hearts, given Jane’s illustrious RNR career which included operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and Frank’s 31 year service in the Royal Marines (Falklands War included) – The Women’s Royal Naval Service Be- nevolent Trust and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity who will benefit by at least £30,000 thanks to their combined efforts. But doing things for others, indi- vidually and together, is not new to either Jane or Frank! Back in 2012
Jane could summon up the effort, the energy or the
“I do not know how
open the motorhome door every morning and step out into baking sun or howling winds, lashing rain or icy cold, no matter how exhaust- ed or whatever else was going on around us ... that is a very special level of commitment but she was determined not to let the chosen charities down. The least I could do was help her realise her ambition, although I will be glad to move back into a house again!”
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