Chris Stewart is to walk Sierra Nevada’s Integral 3000 mountain trail to raise funds for Acompalia
Driving Over Lemons author Chris Stewart is training to take part in one of Europe’s most challenging hiking trails, the Los Tres Miles Integral (Integral 3000), in June. He and his walking partners, farmer Nick Cranham and his brother Glenn, are seeking sponsors to raise funds for Granada-based hospice and palliative care charity, Acompalia.
Chris and his companions plan to complete the trail in four days, from Sunday 15th to Wednesday 18th June. The walk is designed to incorporate up to fifteen 3,000m peaks in the High Sierra Nevada range, featuring some of the most dramatic scenery in mainland Spain.
Talking about what has motivated him to rise to this challenge, Chris, vice-president of Acompalia, said:
“Times are hard, our leaders have let us down and support from the State is dwindling. But it’s not all bad. We’re having to become more self-reliant, and Acompalia is a great example of that.
Life-threatening diseases have not gone away with the economic crisis, nor the fear and desperation that come in their wake to afflict patients, families and friends.
Acompalia was conceived back in 2012 by a small but committed group, fundraising to set up home counselling, professional support, palliative care, and, ultimately, a hospice. To embark on such a project in these difficult times is nothing short of quixotic. But with dogged determination, hard work and their refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer, Acompalia is already achieving its primary goals.
I feel privileged to be part of this organisation, because I believe that this is our future; that initiatives like Acompalia are the way for us to achieve a just and compassionate society.”
Nick Cranham farms near Chris Stewart in the Contraviesa mountains south of Granada: “The actual distance covered, around 100km, is not that great,” said Nick, “but the terrain and navigation required is mostly classified as difficult or very difficult by the Sierra Nevada National Park.” The full itinerary for the Walk will be published nearer to the set-off date.
He went on: “I’m delighted to help raise funds for a charity that works so tirelessly to help people who have a terminal illness,” Acompalia is developing to support and care for patients and their families through their darkest days. Sponsoring us will help realise Acompalia’s vision: hospice services that allow terminally ill patients to spend their last days in a peaceful setting with their families.”
President of Acompalia, Tina Emmott, applauded Chris’s, Nick’s and Glenn’s commitment and said she fully appreciated the toughness of the challenge they have taken on:
“Chris is a great ambassador for Acompalia and he takes a keen interest in all that we do. He and Nick are now working on getting fit as the Integral 3000 is for strong hill walkers only! I wish them the best of luck and will welcome their safe return.”
For further details and to pledge your support for Chris and Nick, please visit www.Acompalia.org.
Chris Stewart’s latest book, ‘Last Days of the Bus Club’ is published on June 1st.
For details of other fundraising events and volunteer opportunities, please visit the Acompalia website at: www.acompalia.org, or contact Tina Emmott on: 958 784 055 or at info@acompalia.org