(Updated 09/03/01)

Charity marathon

A MIDDLE-AGED Cheltenham couple are about to embark on a 953 mile walk in memory of their dog Sam. When Joy Sagar lost her husband six years ago it came as a dreadful shock. But in due course having been a member of the Mid-Gloucestershire Ramblers for many years she decided to take up walking again following his death. This led to her meeting another keen rambler, Alan Sagar, whom she eventually married two years ago. Alan had been a career soldier for 21 years ago. Alan had been a career soldier for 21 years with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers.

With the Millennium approaching, they had hope to complete a major challenge - to walk from Land’s End to John ‘O Groats. However they felt unable to do so at that time because their Labrador dog Sam, who was then 15 years old, could die at any time.

Photo by Montpellier Marketing Communications Group Limited
Left to right: Ian Handel, Joy Sagar and Alan Sagar. Kneeling is Lisa Bailey, Cheltenham Animal Shelter.

Sadly, Sam recently had to be put to sleep by vet Ian Handel, a partner at the Honeybourne Veterinary Centre. When Joy and Alan decided to rekindle their plans for their ‘long march’ they did so with Sam very much in mind and have therefore committed themselves to raising sponsorship for the Cheltenham animal Centre, where Ian Handel is a trustee. They will also be supporting the County Air Ambulance Service, which their walking group have twice called out for assistance. Joy and Alan’s 953 mile walk started at Land’s End on Monday March 5th.