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Operation Canalotto

Operation Canalotto was successfully carried out and on the 11th of April 2005 I returned to an astonishing, indeed a moving, "Welcome Home".  The sight of the crowd on Bridge 51 of the Llangollen Canal with banner and balloons; the sound of cheering and church bells; these are things I shall never forget.  It made the 11 days, walking more than 180 miles, very worth while.

I am so grateful to all those who found time to be there and to follow me up the lane for prayers of thanksgiving by the Prince's Tomb*.  So grateful too to so very many, not least my wife, Brenda, whomade the venture possible.  My sister, Janet, reminded me of an old Turkish proverb: "No road is long with good company".

And the generosity of Alvechurch Waterways Holidays, together with that of my eldest son, Andrew, had provided a boat that was a welcome haven as soon as I stopped walking on six of the eleven nights.  No need to take a single step more.  Believe you me, that was wonderful.

As an experience it has been reassuring and refreshing.  Reassuring not only because I didn't fall apart at the seams but also because it reconfirmed my belief that there is still far more good news about in the world than bad.  Refreshing because I met a wide range of happy, helpful, friendly, interesting folk - many working; not just taking a break on the canal - and not a single nasty one; refreshing too to leave all the the paperwork and hassle behind.

So far more than £4,000 has been given or promised and donations are still coming in.  If you would like to contribute there is still time.  Cheques can be made out to Welshampton PCC and sent to me at the address below.

At first this walk was planned to raise money for Welshampton Church alone; but since then we were moved as we watched Prince Harry, on ITV, launch his Lesotho Appeal. I am pleased to say that after consultation, both The Red Cross and the PCC of Welshampton have agreed that sponsorship can be
extended to the Lesotho Appeal.

Your sponsorship will be most effective if you make it as a Gift Aid donation by using this form

Please return it to:

David Skipper
4 St. Michael's Green,
Lyneal Lane,
WELSHAMPTON,
Ellesmere,
Shropshire,
SY 12 0QT.

Thank you.
David Skipper

*In our churchyard lies buried Prince Jeremiah Libopuoa Moshueshue of Basutoland - now Lesotho. His was the first funeral to take place in the newly consecrated Gilbert Scott church.