Student from Bournemouth University walking 300 miles for Cancer Research UK

A student from Bournemouth is walking 300 miles from Bournemouth Pier to Snowdon to fundraise for Cancer Research UK.

Rowan Brophy, 21, said his inspiration for the challenge is his mum, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer five years ago. Speaking to The Bournemouth Tab, he said: “Being by her side for the six months of treatment made me realise what we are capable of as humans, both physically and mentally.”

Rowan has been sharing his training progress on his TikTok account. He said the support from his followers has been “a dream” and hopes to inspire them to “push past their limits”.

The 21-year-old is motivated to encourage other young people to take on similar outdoor challenges, saying: “Anyone can make crazy decisions so why can’t you?”

He has received several messages wishing him good luck from supporters of his account, with one social media user writing: “Go smash it bro!”

Rowan has currently raised £700 for Cancer Research UK, the charity that supported his mum throughout her treatment. He aims to raise this figure to over £800 to “make a big difference”. He exceeded his original goal of £450 (£1 pound per kilometre he’ll walk).

@project_rowan

Day 3 – injured already but that doesn’t mean it’s over, guess it just means you have to put up with me for longer 😏#project_rowan #fyp

♬ original sound – Project_Rowan

The challenge will take fourteen days and will involve an average of 32 miles of walking a day whilst carrying heavy kit.

He will be pitching a tent each night at a different campsite, or as Rowan puts it: “I’ll be struggling through the elements, that or trying to pitch a tent each night without it flying off.”

He added: “This will be a challenge but that’s what I’m after.”

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However, when he arrives in Cheltenham on day five Rowan will be staying with a friend for some much needed respite.

He further explained that he has struggled to balance his physical preparation for the walk with writing a dissertation for his final year of university. Rowan also works a part time job at Sainsbury’s and says managing all this has been “extremely tough”.

He set off on 5th May and explained his challenge has been met with scepticism from some family and friends as he has no previous marathon training. Rowan said this disbelief drives him and is “another big motivator for completing this trek”.

Friends will be gathering at Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) to greet Rowan on the 19th May when he will complete the final day of his walk and hike the mountain with him. Rowan shared: “This is a day I can not wait for, it will give me a final morale boost to push to the end.”

You can donate to his Just Giving page throughout his trek to Snowdon here. 

You can also follow his TikTok where he shares content about the challenge @project_rowan.