WALKING THE SEVEN ISLANDS TO HELP OTHERS!

In 2011 British ex-pat Alan Gandy walked the length of Lanzarote and raised over £1300 for Charity. On April 7th 2012 he started another walk – this time across the 7 main islands that make up the Canaries.

Having said after last years walk he’d never do it again, Alan soon changed his mind after getting such a thrill out of both the sense of achievement he got from the challenge itself, and that in doing it he was able to help others.

Alan says; “Obviously I enjoy the long distance walking in itself, and though not everyone’s idea of a ‘holiday’, it is mine. It’s a challenge, and hard work – so if whilst doing these things I can raise awareness, and hopefully some money for extremely worthy causes, as I feel the charities I support are – that’s a massive bonus!”

He adds, “Last years walk of Lanzarote wasn’t too bad, this year I’m not underestimating the estimated 500km involved – and am well aware that this is going to be much, much more difficult”.

Alan expects to complete the walk in between two and three weeks, but has said that if it takes longer, then “short of a major injury, I’m not coming home until I’ve finished”!

The ‘Siete Islas’ walk has taken a lot more in terms of planning than the previous event, and Alan has been training for a number of months with Lanzarote based Personal Trainer, Mitch Mitchell. He has also received financial support to cover equipment and travel expenses from currency exchange company AxiaFX.co.uk, and additionally the Canary Island ferry company Naviera Armas have donated free crossings between the islands.

Alan is supporting the same charities he did last year – Niños Tercer del Mundo, the Lanzarote based charity that undertakes projects in the Third World; and The Rose Road Association a UK charity that provides support to disabled children and their families.

Starting in Orzola, Lanzarote, the planned finishing point of the walk will be El Hierro via Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, la Gomera and La Palma.