Pilgrimage in memory of Lesley will raise funds for Hospiscare

Four friends from Exeter will embark on a 300 mile pilgrimage next year in memory of a much-loved Exeter woman who died from cancer aged just 31.

Lesley Harper, who had lived in Exeter all her life, was referred to Hospiscare after being told in October 2011 that her cancer was incurable. She passed away just five months later on March 25, 2012.

Since her death Lesley’s family and friends have organised a variety of fundraising events to raise money for the charity that looked after her in her final weeks.

Lesley’s father, Stephen Harper, has organised a twice-yearly motown night raising more than £1000 at each of the popular events, while Lesley’s friend Barry Smith raised more than £3000 for the charity after shaving his head of the hair that Lesley had loved so much.

Stephen, Barry and friends Graham Jones and John Allel now plan to take on their biggest challenge yet, walking from Lisbon to Santiago starting in August 2014.

The pilgrimage across Spain will take the foursome 32 days to complete, covering a distance of 17 to 24km a day.

Stephen said: “We will be fundraising for the trip and Hospiscare by organising a series of events including a quiz night, collection days in the city and we will also be organising a night with a local rock band. We want to raise awareness of what we’re doing and why.”

“Lesley didn’t lose her sense of humour [during her illness] she was more concerned with how her mum and I were going to cope afterwards. Hospiscare is an invaluable service - they were fantastic.”

To support the friends and follow their fundraising journey visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/420547461393658/ or https://www.justgiving.com/Barry-Smith4