A FAMILY has raised more than £1,500 for Havens Hospices by battling wind, rain and fog to tackle the UK’s toughest walk in memory of a loved one who died from cancer.

Simon and Sue Foxen, both 49 and from Benfleet, took part in the world-famous coast-to-coast Wainwright Walk a. They did it in memory of Sue’s uncle, Terry Frith, from Benfleet, who died aged 74 in January 2012 from cancer.

Terry was cared for by the team at the charity’s adult hospice – Fair Havens – and had also been supported in his own home by nurses from the charity’s Community Hospice Service.

The couple were joined on the walk by other members of Terry’s family – Bob Frith, Geoff Frith, Kathleen Lording, Alan Hatt and Derek Hurley.

The 215-mile walk starts at St Bees on the west coast of Cumbria and takes walkers through the Lake District, Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors to its finishing point at Robin Hood’s Bay on the east Yorkshire coast.

The group completed the walk after tackling wind, rain, mountain fog, kneedeep bogs and humid temperatures.

Simon owns the Simon Foxen Barber Shop, in Thundersley, and has been supported in his fundraising by many of his customers, while the whole family has been asking for sponsorship.

He said: “This was an extreme challenge for all of us, as none of us are particularly young. It was actually the idea of the eldest in our group, Terry’s brother and my father-in-law Bob Frith, who is 74, and his brother, Geoff, aged 66.

“They felt the care that Terry and the family had received from Fair Havens was exceptional and that the staff were so understanding they wanted to do something to give something back.”

The Wainwright Walk is named after Alfred Wainwright, a famous walker who mapped out walks all over the north of England, and people travel from across the world to take on the challenge.

It’s estimated that around 30 per cent of people who start the challenge are unable to complete it.

Hilary Metcalfe, community fundraiser for Havens Hospices, said: “I’d like to congratulate the whole team for taking on this extraordinary challenge.”

To support the family’s fundraising, go to www.justgiving.

com/Simon-Foxen/