Whilst the team here busy themselves following the latest news from the world of golf as the season really kicks in, a story that isn’t from the course or the tours has come to light at Golf Today and it is one we felt had to share.
Ben Walsh, a professional personal trainer and martial arts expert from Surrey, England is known to us here at Golf Today, having provided fitness advice and training for aspiring young golf professionals. In September 2024, Ben experienced the devastating and unexpected loss of his wife, Anne, when she died of Sepsis.
Anne was a fit and active 48 year old, a Muaythai enthusiast. Described as “kind, helpful and honest” by her husband and “a remarkable woman, small in stature but with a huge personality” by her sister, Veronique. However, in September 2024, following a routine operation, Anne developed symptoms non-too dissimilar to a cold and was told that was what she had. However, unbeknown to her, her husband or family, she had an infection that caused her to go into septic shock from which she could not recover and she died within days.
In order to raise awareness of this life-threatening and devastating condition, Ben is undertaking a gruelling 1600km bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats, all of which he hopes to achieve in just 9 days!
Setting off from Lands End on Saturday 28th June, Ben will be joined by Anne’s brother, Cormac, alongside a team of supporting co-cyclists.
Speaking to James Cannon at BBC Surrey just before embarking on this epic cycle, when asked if he was nervous, Ben replied “I am frightened a little bit” but he went on to say that he didn’t want anything easy and it was important to him to raise awareness of Sepsis with a strong challenge and to raise funds for the UK Sepsis Trust and also for Versus Arthritis, a cause that was close to Anne’s heart.
During the interview Ben stated the incredible number of victims to Sepsis per year, 245,000! Those that survive can be left with life-altering effects both physically and cognitively that can severely impact their quality of life. Of the 245,000 per year impacted by Sepsis in the UK, 48,000 lose their lives – that’s 5 people per hour!
With deaths from this pernicious and mostly non-discriminatory condition, the UK Sepsis Trust works to prevent thousands of death and unnecessary suffering through knowledge and awareness of the symptoms.
Whether you are on the golf course, watching Wimbledon or enjoying Glastonbury it’d be great if you can spare a thought for Ben and his core team of six (plus their invaluable tech support guy driving alongside) as they cover between 110 and 120 miles per day.
More importantly, familiarise yourself with the symptoms of Sepsis which include fever, chills, rapid heart rate, rapid and /or difficulty breathing, confusion, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin or tongue and don’t be afraid to raise this as a possibility with healthcare professionals on calling 999 or visiting A&E.
Ben and his co-cyclists (known as the challenge team, ACW (Anne’s initials), will be embarking on a physically and mentally demanding journey, with the first two days expected to be the most challenging on account of the undulating terrain of Devon and Cornwall and having to “break-in” the legs for this mammoth undertaking, despite weeks of prep and training. However, with Anne’s spirit and legacy driving them forward, the team are determined to go the distance and make a difference.
Follow Ben and team ACW’s journey from the toughest training days to the ride itself, with regular updates and moments on Facebook and Instagram.
Should you wish to support Ben, you can make a donation via https://www.justgiving.com/team/thebigride
***UPDATE!!***
Congratulations ! Golf Today has learned that Ben and his cohort of ACW riders completed the challenge on Sunday 6th July and within the 9 day target set.
The ride was always going to be challenging but as Ben related to James Cannon on BBC Surrey after the ride, the team endured the challenge of extreme hot weather, wet and dangerous weather and 40mph winds at stages of the race. However, the journey was also “Fantastic” and “Epic” and life is a bit surreal now that it is finished and considering how hard it actually was to accomplish.
When asked what he hardest stages of the gruelling trek were, Ben said that Day 3, the Bath to Ludlow stage, the team were “cooked” as the temperatures rocketed and the humidity was high. This was the stage the team would led to believe would be easier after the “breaking in” stages had been done! Day 6 there was a high-speed crash just oustside Glasgow when, as the riders were hitting 40mph, the cycle path became slippery as they endured wet conditions after a long dry-spell. The team were not granted any slack after the crash, when on Day 7, valiantly pushing on, the team had to battle horrific weather conditions along the Glencoe Pass just 30miles south of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. As any golfer who’s played Fort William or Cabot Highlands, to be met by 40mph winds is no fun and hard work and that is just what Ben, his brother-in-law Cormac and the guys faced.
In undertaking the challenge, Ben has found he can push himself beyond the limits he thought he had, but that would not have been possible without having a fantastic team around him and being part of a team to push on. For him it has been life-changing. For others, thanks to the funds and awareness that Ben and the ACW Challenge team has raised about Sepsis, it could be life-saving.
