The Lost walker

Well this is me and this is my website......my name is Shaun...... AKA "The Lost Walker". Where did the tag come from, well lets just say in my early years of walking through the hills I managed to stray off track several times and add a bit of variation (and miles) to the planned routes. I am at the ripe age of 46 years, have a two tone hair style (weekly visits to the hairdresser to maintain the grey look, takes hours!!!!). Probably not a fit as I should be, but working on that.

I'm married to Karen who is my rock and I must thank for all the support she has given me during the planning stages of the c2c. We have five children between us (I've been around the block a couple of times) three have moved onto pastures new, just two more to find new homes for. (Free to a good home, both house trained, typical 15 year old going on 25, who thinks she knows it all. 17 year old on her way to university :-) ....who does know it all) and at the time of writing this journal we also have two beautiful granddaughters.

My working life started when I joined the Royal Navy in 1980, 1st ship was HMS Sheffield which was lost during the Falklands war. Massive kick up the backside at 18 years of age, lost 20 shipmates, R.I.P my friends, this event changed my outlook of life forever. I have a policy "If I wake up in the morning and I'm alive, I'm going to be happy. If I wake up in the morning and I'm dead, then I will be miserable". Live life and enjoy it, you only have one chance!

After leaving the Royal Navy I started working in a chemical factory and spent thirteen years caged up behind a wire fence inside dull and gloomy buildings. But still made the most of life and this is when I was introduced to the world of walking (something good always comes out of the bad). Anyway that's enough about that part of my life.

I left the factory job behind me in 2003 and set up my own photography business. Three years of posing people, dealing with the stress of someone else's wedding and screaming kids who didn't want their portrait taking, took its toll on my new found love of walking. Being self employed isn't all its made out to be, you work more hours and don't get a lot of time to play. Hence I went through three years of not being able to get out into the hills to get the walks in that I wanted to do. On the upside it was a fantastic business and gives you a buzz when you have produced a quality product for your customers......however the introduction of digital photography started to take its toll on the business. All of a sudden everyman and his dog became professional photographers over night and good old "Uncle Bob, took over taking the wedding photographs", good on you uncle Bob, keep up the good work!!

Well the time came to start to look for fresh grass to chew on (is the grass greener on the other side?) Yeah its looking pretty good at the moment, I now work for Humberside Police in the role of a Police Community Support Officer (save the jibes for later) I spend most of my time plodding the streets getting in the miles and dealing with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Is it a good job......damn right it is, where else could you go to work and not know what is going to happen from one minute to the next. There's a certain buzz from not knowing what to expect next, some people would suggest I'm mad but hey, who wants a 9 to 5 job which is planned out for you everyday....not me!!!

Why do the c2c walk, its a challenge that I wanted to do a few years ago but as explained above, you don't get a lot of time when you are self employed. Now I'm in the world of employment again I have got the time to get back into the hills. I have made this a bit more than a personal challenge, Richard, Steve and I decided that if we are going to walk across England, we may as well help someone at the same time. So we have chosen to raise money for   St Andrews Children's Hospice in Grimsby, click on the link for details. Our fundraising website is www.justgiving.co.uk/c2c190miles

Well that's a little bit about me, now here's Richard & Steve.

Right here goes...

My name is Steve Sutton, I answer to Steve, Sutt or Dad and most days feel happy to be me. Doing the job l do however, l can answer to lots of other names as well, but hey lets not lower the tone just yet. I’m forty-four year's young (although l wish someone would tell my aching back that) and l am married to Kim and have been for the last twenty years. We have two daughters aged ten and fifteen. One never stops asking question's the other answer's if you are lucky. I’ll let you make your mind up on your own mind which way round it is.

My family and friends mean the world to me and are the centre of my universe. I get a real buzz from helping people, which is how l became interested in being a PCSO in the first place.

In the past l have raised money for lots of different charities from boy scouts to the league of friends. This charity is close to my heart as it is hospital based and helped my dad through his last days. This money was raised through running 10k's and half marathons. Now however the legs are getting older and walking seems like a great idea.

When Shaun and Rich said they were going to do the coast -coast for the local hospice, I went to visit them and spend some time with the children and their parents. Its a fantastic cause and the after visiting and seeing the work the people there do, I signed up straight away.

All concerned gives so much time and love, and the children’s faces speak volumes. They are so happy, and this is reflected in the smiles on their faces and that of the parents. This hospice plays a vital role in their lives and I wanted to be a part of that.

Like I said I'm also a PCSO ,l love my job as it is different every day. Most people appreciate you are there to help, it does have its downside l suppose but then the hat does come with our uniform and so that’s it really.

My other love is bikes any type, cycling or motorbikes. I love nothing more than watching the racing or going out for a ten-mile bike ride. (When the old tired body will motivate itself that is!)

Well that’s me pretty simple really (, my lifestyle not my mind, although I'm sure that will come but much later l hope).

Please keep logging onto the website for our bloggs, and get your hands in your pockets and help us raise lots of money. The pictures should be a hoot, and hopefully we wont need the survival kit we have put in place should we get lost, but with Shaun’s past record who knows, everyday will be an adventure.

Chow for now, Steve.