Darren Walker, a director at approved HP reseller partner Perfect Colours, recently walked the gruelling 96 miles of the West Highland Way in Scotland to generate funds for charity and raise awareness of the incurable cancer he has been battling for more than two years.
Darren was diagnosed with cancer at the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in July of 2021, after which he was transferred to The Christie Hospital, a specialist cancer facility in Manchester. Here, his diagnosis was confirmed as Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), a little known and rare type of cancer.
After over two years of his own personal battle against the disease, Darren took things to the next level by walking the West Highland Way last week to raise funds for The Christie, a charity that supports the work of the specialist hospital that has been treating Darren.
“I decided to undertake this gruelling challenge with my wife Amanda, daughter Courtney and sister Joanne to raise awareness and support research for this rare and still underfunded cancer,” Darren said.
The route from Milngavie to Fort William took the team 5 days to walk. It traverses some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery; from countryside parks and loch-shores to open moorlands and steep mountains.
The team have now completed the challenge but donations are still open and can be made through Darren’s Just Giving page. Darren has so far raised more than £13,000 for the charity.
“I hope and trust people can support such a worthy cause with a donation; this would be very much appreciated,” Darren said. “The walk was tough, but it was both the best and worst week of our lives!”
Jane Rixon, Large Format Production Business Development at HP added: “We have nothing but admiration and respect for Darren and his family and their decision to take on such a challenge. What an amazing achievement!”
