The twin sons of a Watford dad who died from brain cancer have completed a six-day trek whilst wearing his shoes.
Craig and Ross West, 22, from Leavesden, walked 96 miles of the West Highland Way in Scotland in their dad Dave’s size 11 hiking shoes to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Dave (below), 57, had planned to take on the iconic Scottish challenge in his retirement. However, a year into giving up work, the father-of-two was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) after problems with his peripheral vision.
Despite surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Dave, who worked in the Royal Bank of Scotland head office for 40 years, began to suffer with seizures. The cancer became too aggressive, and he died 16 months later in September 2021.
Police officer Ross and Craig, a strength and conditioning coach for Leicester Tigers Women’s Rugby Club (below, wearing Dave’s shoes), took it in turns to carry their dad’s ashes during the walk.
Mum Sam, 54, who also did the walk from Milngavie to Fort William alongside her cousin Victoria Campbell-O’Dowd, 55, (pictured top with Craig and Ross) said: “We scattered Dave’s ashes just north of Balmaha and the boys skimmed stones close by, a skill Dave taught them. The three of them were always fiercely competitive.”
Sam added: “This was Dave’s dream, sadly something he never got to do when he was alive. It was bittersweet carrying his ashes with us. Seeing the boys walk the route in their dad’s shoes was another way of bringing Dave along on the adventure. He would have been surprised I was doing the challenge as walking was his thing, but I know he’d have been our biggest cheerleader.”
The family of ramblers have raised more than £5,000 to help find a cure for all types of brain tumours.
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Sam, Ross, Craig and Victoria’s challenge, please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Samantha-West26
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