Memorial to Andy Davies
Andy Davies, after whom this event is named, was a passionate outdoor man enjoying cycling, hiking and sport.
He was diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy in 2019, a condition that results in progressive weakness and wasting. Before Andy started experiencing these symptoms, outdoor activities were an integral part of his life, and many were centred around the South Downs. He took local children out running, went for weekly rides, and walked regularly with friends and family.
Even with the MD diagnosis, Andy continued to enjoy life as much as possible, and in 2023 he spearheaded the Thames Source to the Sea Community Challenge, which saw groups of people simultaneously walking sections of the Thames Path from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in east London. Andy himself joined in the first stage and completed the whole of the final stage, using a combination of walking with a frame and wheeling in his power chair.
At the time of his death, Andy was liaising with the South Downs National Park Authority to organise this event for people with many different conditions and disabilities to walk, wheel and ride sections of the South Downs Way to show that the South Downs are not off limits to people with disabilities or restricted mobility.
Andy Gattiker, National Trails and Countryside Access Lead for the South Downs National Park Authority said, “I was so impressed by Andy’s desire to enable more people to be able to access the National Park. I, like Andy Davies, don’t want anyone to feel that they can’t enjoy the National Park. I hope people will come out, join in and support the event. The more we can engage with a wide variety of people, who have a wide variety of needs, and share the stories of people who are getting out in the countryside, the better. The event will be a wonderful tribute to Andy and his passion for everyone being able to access the outdoors.”
