Andrew Dixey
Andrew Dixey: 42, 5' 10", 34", 22", 42", Brown Eyes,Brunette, GSOH,
Married (Victoria, 14 years), 3 children (Jemima, Millie, Pru).
Interests: Sailing, cooking, and now it would appear walking.
Profession: Land Rover Account Manager and supplier of Gallowglass'
means of propulsion.
Why am I doing it? Having met Howard on a number of occasions I was
devasted to hear when he was diagnosed with cancer and wanted to help in
whatever way I could. Land Rover kindly agreed to supply the support
vehicles for the event and I volunteered my services as a driver.
At the end of the the first day a number of walkers had dropped out with
injury and I foolishly suggested that I would like to take the place of one of
them. I then endured probably 2 of the most challenging days of my life,
pushing myself way beyond anything that I thought I was capable of, but
also getting one of the biggest buzzes when I finished.
Despite having holes the size of 50p pieces in both heals and being virtually
incapable of walking, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. The 2 days
included some truly memorable moments and allowed me to spend more
time with Howard than I had done previously.
This of course included sharing some very smutty jokes and stories but also
frank and very sobering conversations about his condition.
Following on from the walk I saw Howard on a number of other occasions over the course of the summer and was always struck by his utterly selfless behaviour. Despite his condition there was never once a single moment of self pity or even of perceived discomfort despite the considerable pain he must no doubt have been in.
I think we all got lulled into thinking that having confounded all the experts and soldiered on way longer than anyone expected, Howard was going to make it but sadly it finally got him. His fortitude and bravery throughout his illness has been a life changing inspiration to me and is why I am so pleased to be doing Hadrian's Wall in his memory.
