Phil Godfrey who is walking to raise awareness about APS (Antiphospholipid syndrome) arrived on the Orkney section of his tour on Friday 7th of September.

Readers may recall that Phil Godfrey embarked on a walk in memory of his wife Support Phil’s Walk for Christine .

Christine was diagnosed with APS in 2005 and passed away in 2015. It had been Phil’s plan to walk 1,400 miles from the Isles of Scilly to Shetland and in doing so raise £45,000 for APS Support UK.

What is APS?

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an incurable, life-threatening autoimmune disease in which there is an increased tendency for the blood to clot too quickly both in veins and arteries. It can affect any organ of the body giving rise to potentially fatal events such as heart attacks, strokes and DVT. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can often prevent these serious complications developing and reoccurring.

You can read more about it here: Fact sheet for APS 2018

The walk took its toll on Phil’s body and he had to stop for a while and do some parts of the journey by train.

Planned Timetable (so far)

07/09: Arrive Orkney: Overnight Stromness
08/09: Return ferry to Hoy – Walk to Old Man of Hoy: Overnight Stromness
09/09: Transfer to Skara Brae – Walk back to Stromness: Overnight Stromness
10/09: Transfer to Stenness – Walk to Ring of Brodgar – Transfer to Kirkwall: Overnight Kirkwall
11/09: Overnight Kirkwall
12/09: Return ferry to Westray – Guided tour, Extra Night in Kirkwall
13/09: Extra Night in Kirkwall     Speaking to Kirkwall Rotary
14/09: Onward Travel

Anyone can join Phil and walk with him, even if it is just part of the way, as he takes to the roads and pathways of Orkney.

Reporter: Fiona Grahame