12/09/2026
Why We’re Walking
On Monday 21st September 2026, we will set off from Daventry to walk along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, carrying backpacks, to London where the canal meets the Thames near Kew Bridge. As the river winds the distance is about 95 miles.
We are 84 & 74 years old and with neither of us having any experience of long-distance walking, this will be quite a challenge. We’ll be covering the distance over 10 days to raise funds for Harry’s Pals.
The challenge is called Pensioners’ Pilgrimage 2 because it follows from our earlier
fundraising adventure in March 2025 when we travelled from Daventry to Land’s End using only our pensioners’ bus passes. That journey raised more than £7000 for Harry’s Pals, and we decided that we should undertake another challenge.
Why Harry’s Pals?
We have supported Harry’s Pals for several years, ever since we first met Hayley, the charity’s founder, and her son Harry.
Through Hayley’s story we became aware of the enormous emotional toll faced by
parents caring for seriously ill and disabled children. We were shocked to learn how
little emotional support is available to many families during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Drawing on her own experience es as Harry’s mum, Hayley founded Harry’s Pals
which provides emotional support, counselling, respite breaks and peer support
for parent carers, to ensure that no parent needs to face that journey alone.
How You Can Help
Every donation, no matter the size, will help Harry’s Pals continue supporting families when they need it most.
Please support our walk by donating at:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/pensionerspilgrimage2
To find out more about Harry’s Pals, please visit harryspals.co.uk
Thank you for helping us make the difference.
Nick & Kerstin Banham
At 84 and 74 years old, Nick and Kerstin Banham are taking on a 95-mile walk from Daventry to London in support of Harry's Pals. Over ten days, they will walk around 12 miles a day to raise funds to help parents of severely ill and disabled children
