ON Sunday, March 3 Talan’s Trust in Bude held a 19km walk to raise money for their charity.

The idea was brought about after the #Tal19 run, held annually on the nearest Sunday to Bude teenager Talan Penny’s birthday on November 21. Many people had said to the committee how much they would like to run it, but it’s ‘just too far’ that the trust decided a walk was the best option.

The weather forecast, frankly, was awful, and the trust committee discussed cancelling the day before. However Talan’s mum, Sarah, had said: “Nothing we do will ever be as bad as what children face when coping with a cancer diagnosis, and a puff of wind and a little rain is nothing to be scared of!”

So with that in mind, 100 walkers met at Bude Surf Club and at 10am sharp set off in the blustery rain. The fastest walkers were done and dusted in three hours, 15 minutes, and the last few just over four hours.

Walkers were welcomed back to Crooklets by the whiff of cake made by the ever wonderful Vicky Innes from Trelawney Tearooms at Widemouth, supporters and Talan’s Trust committee members.

Every walker received a medal and as much cake as they could eat. Sarah said: “The atmosphere was wonderful — everyone elated they’d managed to get round and also had a huge respect for the runners!”

A total of £1,307.96 was raised, a fabulous amount to add to the coffers.

The trust made a commitment to support the Institute of Cancer Research through the Chris Lucas Trust, who have recently started a new trial into rhabdomyosarcoma, one which they are ‘quietly optimistic about’.

However, the trust are in the early stages of launching a bereavement counselling service for the siblings of children who have died from childhood cancer, which will be for the 18 to 25 age group, as there is little to support them, initially to be introduced in Cornwall.

They have also just launched their brand new website, www.talanstrust.org.

Talan’s Trust is a charity founded by Sarah Penny, and set up with the help of close family and friends. The trust is in memory of Talan Penny, from Bude, who died at the age of 19 after living with a rare form of cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. The walk is just one of many events held by the trust to raise awareness and money for research into childhood cancer.