Professional footballer Amy Carr was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2015 and endured surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In 2024, Amy was diagnosed with a second brain tumour and the same year she ran the Dublin Marathon for Brain Tumour Research. Sadly Amy passed away in March 2026, at the age of just 35. A JustGiving page she set up has now raised more than £20,000 to help find a cure for this devastating disease.
Now Amy’s dad, David, is determined to continue her legacy. He shares a unique insight into a 98-mile walk he undertook from Berkhamsted to Birmingham to raise money for Brain Tumour Research inspired by his daughter.
“I haven’t lost just my daughter, I lost my best friend”
These are the tear-filled words I spluttered out at the celebration of life for my daughter Amy, aged 35.
Football, golf, horse racing and most other sports we shared a love for, either playing or watching.
Amy ended up playing professional football (soccer) in USA and Norway and was preparing to return to the US as a professional football coach at a top university. This was in 2015, the year all of our lives were turned upside down as Amy was diagnosed with a terminal glioblastoma. You can read Amy’s history in many places but over the next 10 years she accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime.
In the months leading up to her death, her support group amounted to around 110 people and she managed a WhatsApp group with updates on everything including feelings, fundraising activities and many other subjects. That group still runs with only two people leaving in seven months.
My idea a few weeks after the celebration of life was to keep the group going and raise funds together for brain tumour related charities. We have had many events to date and there are lots more coming up including the London Marathon, bake offs and more. My aim is to keep the group together and continue to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.
I had always thought about walking the canal path to Birmingham as something that would be fun – we walk our dogs on the Grand Union several times a week. It’s flat, has a footpath and lots of people to talk to along the way. Of course the proliferation of pubs doesn’t have anything to do with it!
The walk finally happened thanks to several things colliding: my retirement and my desire to finally take on the route I’d been thinking about for ages. But more importantly, many of the members of Amy’s WhatsApp group were coming up with fundraising events and I thought I should get involved and set an “example”.
Day one:
So, after no planning or preparation, off I set at 9am from The Rising Sun pub in Berkhamsted, thinking I’d be back in my own bed five days later. The plan was to do 20 miles a day for five days to complete the 98-mile trek.
A few friends and family sent me on my way in torrential rain that eventually stopped eight hours later near Leighton Buzzard. Of course I hadn’t factored in the clocks going back so at around 5pm I had to call it a day, which was handy as I was soaked, exhausted, aching all over and starving hungry. A great friend picked me up and we went for a few beers before getting home, considering eating but falling asleep around 8pm.
Day two:
The next day began with my wife driving me back to where I’d been collected from on Monday night to start another day of trekking. Fortunately, the weather was OK and I was very eager to set off. I suggested my wife and our two dogs walked the opposite way to me so as not to slow me down. A quick kiss goodbye and off I set.
After around 20 minutes, I started to wonder if I was going the right way, even though there were only two possible directions to choose from. About 45 minutes later, I met my wife again as she walked back to the car. By then, I’d realised the error of my ways and walked around two miles in the wrong direction. That evening, I was collected again having failed miserably in achieving my planned 20 miles. Although strictly speaking, I probably had done 20 miles – they just didn’t count!
Day three:
Began with a drop off again and a bright sunny day. Very uneventful with the exception of a narrowboat owner who was on the way to Birmingham asking me if I’d like a cup of tea and a ride. I couldn’t resist and climbed aboard with difficulty and we introduced ourselves and the lady of the boat went below to put the kettle on. I’d been on the boat precisely seven minutes when the boats engine warning light came on and the captain said they’d have to moor up and investigate. So, without any tea or a sit down, I alighted and continued on my weary way.
Around 5pm in the gloom I decided that it was too dangerous to go on as extreme fatigue, pitch blackness and water could result in an unwanted bath. I Googled pubs/inns/hotels near me and walked around 30 minutes through a field of cabbage to a lovely looking pub. On entering there were only two people in the bar, both regulars having a relaxing drink and chat.
Those two guys were joined by two more and an hour later, they had bought me a drink, found and paid for a hotel locally, booked and paid for a cab, and donated £100 to my fundraising page. It showed me that people out there can be caring and supportive.
Day four:
Day four was the best day for me. I walked 20 plus miles, the sun was shining all day and I ached slightly less than I had for the previous three days. I’d also decided to treat myself as I knew 22 miles from where I started was a spa hotel, so that inspired a faster pace and I arrived at the hotel around 5:30pm with the aid of an Uber. To say that the jacuzzi and sauna were bliss is a vast understatement. And after enjoying those, a swim and a quick drink, I was asleep at 9:30pm.
Day five:
Of course a hotel also means a proper cooked breakfast, which I decided to enjoy without rushing. Once fuelled, I set off walking having taken another Uber back to last night’s stop.
A friend who I’ve known since primary school was meeting me for the evening so the day went quickly and was wonderful and sunny. I’d already booked a pub room and looked forward to an Indian meal there.
After my day of walking, I met my friend and we drove a mile to the pub we enjoyed the hospitality of the pub with a real fire and great food. I retired around 10 and was asleep 30 seconds later, only to be woken by someone trying to get into my room a couple of times though the night and the residents of the room upstairs seeming to play Twister in hob-nailed boots all night.
Day six:
The journey into central Birmingham was fantastic with people, boats, graffiti and lovely weather. Reaching central Birmingham was really pleasing and by 10pm I was tucked up in my own bed with a huge smile and feeling of satisfaction.
I had underestimated the aches and pains I would experience. But as a two-time cancer survivor with the usual baggage that brings, this journey helped me realise that most things are achievable and its your mind that decides success or failure.
I promised Amy that I would not mope around and I’d be kinder to myself. Just those two things have made me a better person and whilst I think about Amy every day, I think of her as an inspiration to me and many others whose path she crossed.
The group continues, the fundraising continues and I hope Amy is proud of the legacy we are creating.
If you would like to donate inspired by Amy, please click here to visit her JustGiving page.
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