BEING part of the Jo’s Appeal support crew on K2B day brought its own challenges, but was an uplifting experience for MATT DAVIES and his team of volunteers

IT’S tea-time Saturday and Dalton town centre resembles a scene from a George A Romero movie.

A slow procession of contorted figures shuffling and staggering past Tudor Square conjures up images of a post-apocalyptic zombie wilderness.

But these wild-eyed, unkempt beings aren’t the walking dead. They are unsung heroes who have just trekked 40 miles through the Lake District from Keswick.

Dalton is the last port of call for me, Kelly and Meg the Patterdale terrier, the Go for Jo sweep-up team, as we try and help make sure every one of our K2B and C2B team crosses the finishing line.

It’s been a long day for us and an even longer and harder one for the team.

An earlier-than-we-expected 5.45am start for the Keswick walkers meant that by the time we had arrived at our first stop in Grasmere at 9am, most of the Go for Jo team had already disappeared up Red Bank.

The situation isn’t helped by having to carry heavy bags full of supplies from one end of the village to the other because of parking restrictions. And there have been missed phone calls and texts from team members. Bag to be dropped off (Katie) hair band SOS (Emma) cheese sandwich and pasty cravings (Craig and Frank).

Needing to raise our game we head back to the van and speed off to Coniston to meet up with fellow support team member Louise and wait for the cavalry to arrive.

The fast guys (Kristel and the two Jonathans) have already been and gone in what is a near-perfect day for outdoor exercise.

Thankfully, we’re in time to greet the steady trickle of white T-shirt wearing Go for Jo members – and they are all in pretty good shape at the halfway point.

“Well done, great effort,” we say, handing out bottles of water, bananas and cereal bars.

“The walk down Coniston Water is great, you’ll love it, and we’ll see you at the Red Lion,” we tell them in an effort to keep spirits high.

The reality is that what started as a pleasant Lakeland hike can quickly descend into tarmac torture on the second half of the K2B as sore feet, blisters, and all kind of niggles take hold – not to mention the psychological barrier of self doubt.

Arriving in Lowick, it is throbbing with supporters enjoying the sunshine.

The first swallows and swifts of summer duck and weave above us, surveying the scene as spectators clap and cheer walkers of all ages and description. Many are wearing charity logo gear, while some are in more unorthodox attire such as the two lads sweltering in a camel suit.

The banter flows as we offer advice, nourishment and a friendly face to help people on their way up Kirkby Moor.

There are first aiders and ambulance crews buzzing around, with Lowick being a notorious spot for drop-outs as injury and fatigue take hold. Good news for us is there are no casualties in the Jo’s Appeal team. Well nothing that a change of socks, a smear of vaseline on feet and some food and drink can’t fettle.

Neil and his daughter Evie hardly even break their stride, moving on with big smiles and determination etched on their faces, while young Kate complains of a self-inflicted swollen finger but marches onwards cheerily with her friends.

Some of the team are now ploughing a lone furrow and the unforgiving nine-mile slog over the moor is even tougher when you’re going it alone, especially for K2B first-timers Clair, Jonny, Rachel and Kathy.

This is where the battle really becomes mental as well as physical, but they all seem in positive mood as they head off towards Dalton.

Seeing the pain and suffering in the latter stages of the walk begs the question, why do people do it?

Back in the 1920s, the famous mountaineer George Mallorywas asked the same about wanting to conquer Everest.

“Because it’s there,” was his much-quoted reply

The same can be said of entrants to the K2B. They do it because it’s there to be done.

Thousands of people right across the age and fitness spectrum turn up every year to test themselves to the limit, and help raise millions for charity.

That’s a good enough reason isn’t it?

The armchair cynics who scoff at those who sign up probably feel justified in their scepticism in the days immediately after the walk, when limbs are aching and for some just getting out of bed hurts like hell.

But what they are missing out on is a life-affirming annual pilgrimage when people unite for good causes on a physical and emotional roller-coaster.

That’s why my wife Jo loved it. She was a people person who revelled in hearing tales of courage and bravery while covering the event for the Evening Mail.

On Saturday morning we woke to the breaking news that Kenyan superstar Eliud Kipchoge had ran the quickest marathon in history. His time of 2:02:57 was an incredible feat which made headline news.

At the same time – right here on our doorstep and far removed from the glare of the national media – there were many other stories of outstanding physical achievement unfolding.

The K2B is a triumph of the human spirit, and it is an honour to be part of it.

Every member of the Go for Jo team made it home safely, with their own unique story to tell – and we will be doing it all again next year.