Thanks To Cotswold Outdoor in Hedge End (www.cotswoldoutdoor.com) has provided HUGE support for my venture by supplying me with the equipment I need to keep my pack weight down. My grateful thanks to their Manager Darren Weeks for fixing this, and to the excellent staff who helped with equipment selection. Many thanks to EVERYONE ACTIVE (www.everyoneactive.co.uk), who manage Fareham Leisure Centre in partnership with Fareham Borough Council, for donating 10 months of free membership to help me train. Directors Paul Bryant and Dave Wooller of PJB Systems Technology (www.pjbsystems.co.uk) were hugely supportive from the moment I first mentioned my mad plan, and have funded the excellent Hilleberg Unna tent as well as generously assisting with the cost of the maps and other stationery. My financial advisors, Retirement and Investment Solutions (www.retirementis.co.uk) are helping to take the weight off my back during the walk by funding the novel Aarn rucksack. My grateful thanks to their Director Pat Williams for getting out the cheque book even before I had finished asking. Pure Hydration (www.purehydration.co.uk) kindly donated one of their Aquapure Traveller water sterilisation bottles for me to test. Thanks to Helen Boyle, their Business Development Manager. I met the guys from Walksos (www.walksos.co.uk) on their stand at this year's OS Outdoor Show at the NEC, and they were sufficiently concerned about my safety to donate one of their SOS banners. I'll do my best not to test this one out. My sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Bishop's Waltham (www.bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk) for their support by assisting with travel costs, giving me a stall at the Bishop's Waltham Carnival on 13 June and making a donation to my charities The Meon Valley Lions Club (www.meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk) have generously contributed to the cost of my rail fare to Scotland, and also provided me with a stall at the Swanmore Carnival and Fete on 11 July. Thanks to Gareth Turner of the Lucozade Sport Science Team www.lucozade.com/sport/sport-science for providing me with valuable hydration and energy products for training, and during my walk. Paul Sandham from Sanoodi (www.sanoodi.com) contacted me out of the blue to offer free use of a Blackberry Bold Smartphone along with a high-capacity battery pack, enabling me to send emails and pictures 'en route'. Sanoodi's GPS software will also keep a track of me. My gratitude goes to my friend, Simon Maple, for agreeing not only to develop this website, but also to act as my 'base manager' and keep the diary up to date while I am walking. This is my trusty Treasurer, Sarah, who will make sure that all donations received in cash are properly accounted for and sent to the charities. Fellow engineer and keen cyclist Jamie volunteered to design my poster from the very moment that I twisted his arm, and what a terrific job he has done. Thanks Jamie. My friend Kay has agreed to take on the role of Media Officer. To say that she is taking the job seriously would be an understatement. There have been recent reports of a tornado in Waltham Chase, with a small dog trailing behind. To several generous friends and benefactors in Dartmouth, Devon, where I spend as much time as I possibly can. You have chosen to remain anonymous, but you know who you are, so many thanks. And how can I possibly forget the lovely (and trusted) George who will be keeping an eye on the house and making sure no bills go unpaid in my absence. She's a pretty good walker herself. Oysterband (www.oysterband.co.uk) are a favourite folk band whose music I will be loading onto my portable music player. On his hearing this, bassist Chopper sent the following message: "Steve! All power to your elbow, hope you've got some good boots. We totally support what you are doing. All the best mate and good luck." I also received a "Good on yer" message from singer John Jones. Chopper and John are both keen walkers. I will also be listening to music from 'Trev and Trev', a subset of the 'Trevor John Band' (www.trevorjohnband.co.uk). The two Trev's are incredibly skilled and versatile musicians who play at my local pub, The New Inn in Swanmore. When I informed singer Trev that I would miss hearing them while I was away, he 'made arrangements' to ensure that I could listen to their music on my music player. Thanks Trev.