Anne Kemp OBE, Technical Director at Atkins and Chair of the UK BIM Alliance, is a long term supporter of DCW and friend of the show. Earlier this year, she walked the entire length of the South West Coastal Path to raise funds for four charities.

Anne’s cause was our chosen charity at the Digital Construction Awards back in July and we would love to gain extra support for her efforts. Find out why Anne chose to undertake the walk and how you can donate below.

In March 2020, I started walking the Pennine Way (270 miles), motivated by a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) – a type of cancer. I didn’t realise then I was walking into two years of effective shielding. I stopped four days into the walk due to lockdown, but finished the remainder of the walk that August, raising £8,600. A phenomenal amount and a phenomenal experience.

Last year I decided I wanted – and needed – to walk back to normality along the South West Coastal Path. In July 2021 I started planning the walk over 52 days for April/May 2022: it would be over 630 miles and the equivalent ascent/descent of four Mount Everests.

It’s been a long haul the last two years not meeting friends and colleagues, and my family have made huge sacrifices to keep me safe… as well as putting up with my increasing hermit-like behaviour. But that was the point – I am safe and I am well. So it was time to give something back and think of the many people who have been, and continue to be, so less fortunate than myself. I may have struggled with fatigue at times. My knees may have protested. But I can’t think of a better way to walk back to normality.

I would be enormously grateful if you would help me raise money for my original three chosen charities: CRASH, Mates in Mind and MapAction. But I would also like to add CLL Support who have been so great in helping the many people who have struggled more than me during these challenging times. Please feel free to donate to whichever charity appeals to you. I would be amazed if I could reach the same amount as the Pennine Way walk, but perhaps you will be able to help me along the way…

Many thanks,
Anne Kemp OBE, technical director at Atkins and chair of the UK BIM Alliance

Support Anne by donating

Head to Anne’s Just Giving page to find out more and donate to one of the four chosen charities.