Andrew Jackson

Day 31 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

And just like that — we’re done.

I set out to walk 62 miles in May.
I’ve walked 124.
I set out to raise a bit of money for Dementia UK in memory of my dad.
Together, we’ve raised over £700 — and that’s something I’m truly proud of.

Dad passed away on April 11th this year after living with vascular dementia for around three years.
For us, the decline was steady. Slow, even.
But for many families, dementia can be full of sudden steps down — sharp changes that take more and more of the person they love.

Dementia UK funds specialist Admiral Nurses to support those families.
And every pound you donated goes toward giving people the strength, the knowledge, and the care they need — when they’re facing one of life’s hardest journeys.

Throughout this month, I walked.
I left notes of encouragement.
I made deliberate efforts to do good deeds.
And I had more conversations than I’ve had in years.

I’ve shared more of myself than I expected.
And I’ve felt more connected — to others, to my memories, to movement — than I have in a long while.

Of course, there were moments I missed Dad deeply.
And I suspect those moments will always come.
But I’m so glad I did this.
And so grateful you walked it with me.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote has already gone — and there are dozens more scattered across the places I’ve walked
🌱 Good deeds, still flowing — because why would they stop now?
📸 Today’s photo: Me and Dad, Jubilee Day, beer in hand — simple joy in a moment I’ll always treasure

Thank you, truly.
If you’d still like to donate — or share the fundraiser with someone who might — the link is here:
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #DementiaUK #ForDad #EndOfTheRoad #CoachingWithHeart #LeaveANote #StillShowingUp #MeaningInTheMiles #LegacyInMotion #ThankYou

Day 30 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

And just like that… one day left.

It’s gone so fast.
I’ve shared more than I expected, walked further than I planned (nearly 120 miles!), and been blown away by the kindness, messages, and donations.
Over £700 raised for Dementia UK — thank you so much.
There are so many worthy causes out there, and I know supporting one means choosing not to support another.
So for those who backed this — thank you.
I’m really proud I managed to inspire you to donate.

When I was a kid, my dad was part of groups like the Lions and Rotary.
I remember tagging along to events, watching him raise money for things that mattered.
He never made a fuss about it.
And I think he’d be quietly proud I’ve done the same this month.

🗣️ Lots of great conversations today — the kind that linger in the mind
✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was tucked into a small gift for someone I’ve always enjoyed chatting with
🌱 Good deeds still flowing — some days it’s just about doing what’s needed
📸 Photo: One of the many beautiful maypoles you see around Bavaria — signs of celebration, tradition, and community

One more day to go.
Two more miles to walk.
But this month has already walked me somewhere bigger.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #DementiaUK #ForDad #FinalStretch #CoachingWithHeart #LeaveANote #StillShowingUp #MeaningInTheMiles #LegacyInMotion

Day 29 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Just two days to go.
And I’ve already walked almost double the original distance.

But more than that — I’ve shown up.
I’ve done the things I said I’d do.
The conversations. The handwritten notes. The small good deeds.
And day after day, I’ve shared parts of myself I don’t often put out into the world — stories that have been raw, honest, personal… and, I hope, meaningful.

The response has been incredible.
So many of you have reached out — old friends, new friends, quiet observers — just to say that the words or photos meant something to you.
That means everything to me.
Because this has never been just about walking.
It’s about walking towards something — connection, kindness, meaning.

Today’s been a good one.
The group I’m working with cooked up schnitzels for tea — and honestly, watching them all come together, laugh, share, and muck in was a real joy.
The walk itself was easy. The conversations were flowing.
And the good deeds came naturally.

Dad would have liked this day.
The simplicity of it.
The purpose in it.
The way people just quietly got on and did what needed to be done — with heart.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was tucked away near the river — a small nudge of encouragement for someone I’ll never meet
🗣️ Rich conversations with the group and the wider paddling community — connection felt easy today
🌱 Good deeds flowing — helping out, making life easier, giving time
📸 Today’s photo: the brilliant crew I’m coaching, plating up schnitzels in our Bavarian base — joyfully human, fully present

Thanks for being here.
Two days left. Still walking. Still showing up. Still so grateful.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #DementiaUK #ForDad #CoachingWithHeart #LeaveANote #StillShowingUp #SchnitzelSquad #MeaningInTheMiles #LegacyInMotion #PushingTo124

Day 28 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Just four days left.

The World Championships are drawing closer, and there’s a real buzz starting to build here in Germany.
The water’s low — like so many places right now — but there’s hope in the mountains. Rain is coming.

It’s been a full day.
Cooking pancakes. Tweaking plans. Racing round town to get supplies before everything shut for Ascension Day.
Then back to the river for a short session, and later, a quiet walk along the Danube.

That river — the Donau — carries such weight.
My life’s been shaped by rivers, and today I just needed to be near one.
I felt a flicker of homesickness. A moment where I wished my family were here to share this.
Even had a small wave of emotion thinking about Dad.
But I held it. Let it pass. And kept walking.

There’s something special here.
A warmth from the event organisers, a sense of welcome that reminds you how much sport can unite people — even across language and culture.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went out during the walk — a little message in English, left for someone local to find and wonder about
🗣️ Just a few light smiles shared with dog walkers — but no big conversations today
🌱 Small kindnesses throughout — just trying to make life a bit easier for others
📸 Today’s photo: the mighty Danube — still, majestic, and full of meaning

Still walking. Still reflecting. Still grateful.
Thanks for being part of this journey.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #DementiaUK #ForDad #DonauDays #StillShowingUp #LeaveANote #CoachingWithHeart #LegacyInMotion #MeaningInTheMiles #PushingTo124

Day 27 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Just five days left.
And I’m quietly pushing toward 124 miles — doubling the original challenge.
Because for me, this month isn’t just about walking.
It’s about meaning. Movement. And the miles that shift something deeper inside.

Right now, I’m in my place.
A space where I bring 100% of myself — and give it fully to the people I’m lucky enough to coach.
Everyone here is younger than me — and I love that.
They keep me learning, reaching, and rooted in the present.

I think about Dad often when I’m here.
How he gave me the freedom to take the harder path, even when it must’ve been tough to watch.
How, the older we both got, the more that unspoken understanding grew.
He didn’t push — he allowed.
And that kind of quiet support shapes me even now.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote found its way to the windscreen of two kind people who arrived with beautiful energy
🗣️ Fewer conversations today — most of my focus was on the athletes
🌱 Small kindnesses scattered throughout the day
📸 Today’s photo: one of the incredible young athletes I coach — always pushing forward, always full of joy. I’m so proud of her. So proud to be part of her journey.

Still walking. Still finding meaning in the miles.
Thanks for being with me on this journey.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #DementiaUK #ForDad #PushingTo124 #CoachingWithHeart #LeaveANote #StillShowingUp #MeaningInTheMiles #LegacyInMotion

Day 26 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

What an amazing day.

We’re finally here in Plattling — and despite the water being the lowest I’ve seen in 25 years of paddling here, we made something great out of it.

One of the most powerful things when working with athletes is helping them tune their mindset.
The way you see something often becomes the way it shows up for you — so we started the day rooted in possibility, not limitation.
That shift in perspective opens doors you didn’t even realise were there.

There’s a lot I love about Germany.
Today included being told off four times — once for parking somewhere we shouldn’t, then for not having cash at lunch, then again for parking in the wrong bay… and finally, by the same people, for parking in yet another wrong place.
Honestly, it was almost impressive.
But I do admire it — there’s something oddly reassuring about a place where things must be just right.

Finished the day with a long walk around the town — a beautiful Bavarian spot with a Maypole, a village square, and the best ice cream to finish it all off.
6½ miles done without even trying.

✉️ No #LeaveANote dropped today — couldn’t find the right moment or place, but it’ll catch up
🗣️ A few good conversations today, including some joyful attempts at German
🌱 Small good deeds throughout — just little efforts to make the day easier for others
📸 Today’s photo: a classic Bavarian dovecote spotted on my evening walk — no doubt about where in the world I am

Still walking for Dad. Still learning to lead with possibility — even when the signs say "no parking."

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #Plattling #MindsetMatters #PossibilityNotLimitation #LeaveANote #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #BavarianAdventures #DoveCoteDays #NoParkingButPlentyOfProgress

Day 25 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Up early today and straight into it — picked up the crew, drove down to Dover, onto the ferry to Calais, and then all the way down through France and into Germany, arriving in a little town called Plattling, just south of Munich.

That’s a lot of road miles.
And not many walking ones — but we’ll catch up.

Travelling with this particular crew — a grandad and his grandson — has been a gift. The conversations have been wide-ranging, generous, and full of life. There’s a lot of quiet wisdom in that van.

Today’s walk may have been minimal, but the meaning certainly wasn’t.
We got talking about a tough time in my life — just after I had open heart surgery. And I remembered something I haven’t thought about in a while.

Two small gestures that meant the world:
– A friend who was a physio came and gently helped me reconnect with my own body again.
– Another friend, who came to the hospital and simply massaged my hands — 30 minutes each. They were tight and painful after surgery, and I didn’t even realise how much I needed that care until it arrived.

We talk a lot about big acts. But sometimes it’s the smallest ones that stay with us forever.
Today was a reminder of that.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote is still tucked in the windscreen — and now that I’m in Germany, I reckon it’s time to start using Google Translate on these
🗣️ Conversations across the van — and even on the ferry, where we shared a packed table with strangers and traded a few stories
🌱 No standout good deeds today — just a day of showing up, which is sometimes more than enough
📸 Today’s photo: proof I’m in Germany — a bottle of Spezi, the beloved cola-orange drink you never see in the UK

Still walking for Dad. Still learning, even on the still days.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #SpeziSighting #SmallThingsBigImpact #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote #GermanyArrival #CoachingJourney #VanWisdom

Day 24 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Busy day today — packing, prepping, and getting ready to leave for Germany first thing tomorrow.

There’s plenty you only seem to do when you get older… like cleaning the inside of the van windows just to make sure you’ve got a clear view.
And of course, the full set of Dad Checks: oil, water, tyres, every “just in case” thing you can think of.

I grew up in an era where you never went anywhere without a toolkit, a bit of rope, a top-up bottle of water, and some spare parts you didn’t really understand — just in case.
And even though I’ve got breakdown cover now, I still find myself holding onto that idea: you fix what you can with what you’ve got.
That’s a Dad legacy, for sure.

Also squeezed in some garden time today. Tidied up the rose bush — not sure how I ended up a gardener, but I absolutely love it now.
Dad’s gardening was what I’d call random but brilliant — throw things in and somehow make them bloom. His gardens always looked amazing.
Mine’s still a work in progress. But it’s getting there.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went out on my mid-distance walk — and wow, the crops have leapt after last night’s rain
🗣️ Not much conversation today — head down and jobs on
🌱 Still a little quiet on the good deed front… time to raise my game tomorrow
📸 Today’s photo: one of the first stag beetles of the season — an absolutely beautiful little beast, and always a thrill to see here in the southeast

Still walking for Dad. Still fixing, pruning, packing — and pausing to notice.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #DadHabits #GardenProgress #LeaveANote #VanLifePrep #StagBeetleSeason #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose

Day 23 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Another full day at the computer — the World Championships are just around the corner, and that pre-trip pressure is building.

It’s always like this: last-minute logistics, long task lists, and the kind of work that sits heavy on your shoulders.
I’m excited — I love working at championships. They bring out the best in me. The hours are wild, the energy is high, and there’s this feeling that everything counts.
You go to bed at 3am and get back up at 6 — and somehow you’re still buzzing.

Time moves differently when you’re in it. And even now, with six weeks gone since Dad passed, I’m noticing how time folds in on itself.
Some days feel fast. Others feel full of space.
But every now and then, there’s just… a pause.
Not sadness. Just the quiet realisation that something’s missing.

Walked through the park today.
Didn’t talk to anyone. Didn’t do anything grand.
But I saw this weird, wonderful one-person rollercoaster — the only one I’ve ever seen. I’ve ridden it before, but not today. Too many kids around, and maybe not the right mood.

Still — it made me smile.
Sometimes life really is just that: a one-person ride. Up and down. Quiet stretches. Fast drops.
No big audience. No loud soundtrack. Just you and the moment you’re in.

✉️ Still catching up on #LeaveANote — today was a desk day
🗣️ No conversations. Just thoughts.
🌱 No clear good deeds, but sometimes showing up counts
📸 Today’s photo: the mysterious solo rollercoaster

Still walking for Dad. Even when the pace slows, the ride keeps rolling.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #RollercoasterDays #WorldsPrep #QuietGrief #LeaveANote #WalkWithPurpose #HopeInAction #StillGoing

Day 22 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Mostly stuck indoors today — a full day on the computer — but I managed to break out this evening to see my daughter sing in her school’s spring concert.

She was doing a duet, and it was the first time we’ve heard her sing solo rather than in a group. It was something really special.

I have to say, schools today seem so much better at celebrating and nurturing talent than when I was growing up. Back then, it felt like everything was about toeing the line and fitting into someone else’s shape.
Now, being yourself seems not only allowed — it’s encouraged.
And across all the acts tonight, that really stood out. That’s progress, I reckon.

Had two visits from people today — both started as coaching clients, both have become lifelong friends.
One of them is heading out to Norway. And any time someone I know goes there, it brings up a quiet scar.
I lost a friend out there in a paddling accident years ago. He was young, bright, bold — and living his best life. I suppose that’s the thread that ties it to my dad too.
Both of them lived fully.
Both of them gave so much.
And both of them still show up in the small moments, unannounced.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went to Norway — a message handed to a friend as he set off
🗣️ All today’s conversations were with good friends who dropped by
🌱 No standout good deeds, just the kind of small, quiet things that still carry meaning
📸 Today’s photo: looking back over the wheat field on my walk with Mauii, just as the light broke open behind me. A moment that made me stop.

Still walking for Dad. Still catching light in unexpected places.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #SchoolConcert #LiveFully #CoachingLegacy #HopeInAction #LeaveANote #NorwayMemory #WheatfieldLight #FamilyMoments

Day 21 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Another early start — first stop, Crooklets Beach in Bude to catch low tide.
Then a drive up to Exeter to see my son at uni, and finally the scenic route back home via A-roads, countryside, and a quick stop to get my mum.
A lot of miles. But a good day.

The countryside at this time of year is something else.
Taking the A-roads instead of the motorway slows you down — and honestly, that’s a gift. You see more. You feel more. And today, the whole world seemed to glow green.

That was Dad’s favourite colour. I think it might be mine too.
But not just any green — British countryside green.
Not one colour, but dozens. Rain-fed, light-soaked, layered and shifting. It’s the kind of green that doesn’t just please the eye — it feeds the soul.

✉️ No #LeaveANote today — too much time behind the wheel, but I’ll double up soon
🗣️ A few chats this morning and a nice, warm one with the waitress when I took Oli out for dinner
🌱 No major good deeds, but I was on the lookout
📸 Today’s photo: Crooklets Beach just as a squall pushed in — wild, electric, and absolutely stunning

Still walking for Dad. Still soaking in the small, slow wonders.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #CrookletsBeach #SlowMiles #BritishGreens #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote #StormLight #CountrysideCalm #GreenMeansHome

Day 20 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Very early start today — drove all the way down to Godrevy in deep Cornwall for a full day of coaching.
And as far as “wow days” go… this one’s right up there.

Binoculars out. Radio on. Deck chair, clipboard, music.
Parked up on the beach, watching waves — and one of the athletes I coach catching them in his kayak.
Sunny. Calm. Beautiful.
Yeah… that’s the wow.

Surf wasn’t huge, but it didn’t need to be.
This kind of coaching sits a little outside my usual field — but that’s what made it great. I brought what I knew, stayed open, and together we shaped something useful.

We even had one of those brilliant coaching moments — where intent and interpretation didn’t quite match. My athlete shared a goal, and I thought I’d understood. Later, we realised we meant different things.
But here’s the thing: it wasn’t a mistake. It was just part of the process.
Sometimes, you move forward without being fully aligned — and the meaning still finds you later. That’s coaching. That’s life.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went on the windscreen of a friend’s van. I hope it reaches him before the Cornish weather does.
🗣️ Loads of conversations today — mostly with dog owners, all smiles and sandy paws
🌱 Good deeds were light and playful — ball throwing, kind words, shared warmth
📸 Photo of the Godrevy lighthouse — a steady presence in a day that flowed just right

Still walking for Dad. Still learning to listen, adapt, and trust the journey.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #GodrevyLighthouse #CoachInTheWild #SurfCoaching #WalkWithPurpose #HopeInAction #LeaveANote #ListeningMatters #BeachWisdom #EverydayMeaning

Day 19 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Back home today — bit of office work, then off to Bude.

Before I left, I stopped to top up the van with AdBlue… and ended up in a situation that would’ve made my dad laugh.
In Nottingham, I couldn’t get the pump in. Turns out, the end of the Morrisons pump had snapped off inside my filler cap. Classic.

It was one of those “uh-oh” moments — followed by a quiet smile.
Because this was exactly the sort of thing Dad and I would’ve fixed together without drama.

Sure enough, I got it out with a pair of long-nose pliers.
A bit of panic. A simple fix.
And 57 years of being his son showing up right when I needed it.

These are the moments where his legacy turns up unannounced — in the hands, the mindset, the quiet confidence.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was dropped on a short local walk — a small message left in step with a small win
🗣️ One lovely conversation, otherwise a quiet, reset kind of day
🌱 No good deeds from me, though a nod to the bloke at the petrol station who didn’t blink when I only managed to put 15p of AdBlue in the van
📸 Today’s photo: the snapped-off end of the pump that caused all the fuss. Might send it to Morrisons for a chuckle.

Still walking. Still learning. Still fixing things — quietly and completely.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #EverydayDad #LegacyInTheLittleThings #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote #AdBlueSaga #QuietConfidence

Day 18 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Last day in Nottingham today — and another cracker.

To be honest, it wasn’t wildly different from yesterday… but that’s part of the magic. There’s a rhythm to this work. A quiet build.
There was a real buzz around the course — some of the athletes I’ve been coaching are heading off to the World Championships next week, and others made serious progress with new tricks and movement.
The excitement is earned.

Freestyle kayaking is tough. It’s one of the hardest sports to learn — and coaching it is all about perseverance, mindset, and helping people trust in the tiniest of gains.

There’s a line a paddler once shared with me that I’ve never forgotten:
"It ain’t easy, but it is simple."
Honestly, that’s not just sport — that’s life. And I find myself coming back to it all the time.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote is still sitting in my van windscreen — I forgot to put it out. It’ll get out tomorrow, promise.
🗣️ More great conversations, much like yesterday.
🌱 Plenty of small but meaningful good deeds — the kind that keep things flowing.
📸 Today’s photo: me, Sam, and Mikey walking the course together — caught mid-chat, post-competition. Judging by their faces, I was probably mid-ramble. But honestly? I’m proud to still be useful.

Still walking for Dad. Still learning. Still giving what I’ve got.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #FreestyleKayaking #CoachLife #AttitudeIsEverything #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote #StillUseful #NottinghamEnergy

Day 17 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Still up in Nottingham today, coaching at the whitewater course — and two big things stood out for me.

First: just how blessed I feel.
Yes, I’ve said it before — and I’ll probably say it again — but I don’t think you can say it enough. Through everything with Dad’s passing, I’ve been quietly blown away by how many people have gone out of their way to check in on me. I really am doing well — and I know that’s a testament to so much that Dad gave me.
Being able to hold his passing in such a positive way is a gift. And the love from people around me? It’s beautiful.

Second: I’m very aware of how lucky I am to live the life I do.
Lots of people say it to me — but no one knows it more than I do.
I get to spend my days doing something I love. But for me, it’s not really about kayaking — it’s about helping people grow. Sport is just the frame. The real joy is watching people stretch, step forward, and surprise themselves.
That’s the bit that fills me up.

Today was full of that. Progress, fun, learning. I left the river full of energy.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was placed on a perfect little bench overlooking the regatta lake at Holme Pierrepont. If someone sits and finds it, I hope it hits just right.
🗣️ As always up here — lots of good conversations with paddlers, coaches, friends
🌱 No major good deed today, just doing what I do in this space
📸 Today’s photo: three young paddlers trying to loop at the same time. Pure joy in motion.

Still walking for Dad. Still grateful every step.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #CoachingWithPurpose #WalkWithGratitude #HopeInAction #LeaveANote #YouthDevelopment #HolmePierrepont #ThisIsWhyICoach

Day 16 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Back up at Nottingham today, working at the whitewater course — early start, airport run, full day on the water. Busy, but brilliant.

Started the day by picking up an athlete I’m coaching and heading straight to the course. The session was packed with progress, smiles, and those good kind of challenges. Later on, a couple of young lads from my youth programme joined us — and honestly, they lit the place up.
What strikes me about them isn’t just the skill. It’s that they show up, support each other, and make mates without overthinking it. They just get on with it. It’s glorious to watch.

The sunshine didn’t hurt either. A perfect day to be outside, doing work that matters.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went just outside the hotel I’m staying at — a good one, left with real energy. Hope someone finds it and smiles.
🗣️ Always plenty of conversations in work environments like this. Years of coaching brings a lot of familiar faces, and it’s always good to reconnect.
🌱 Good deeds are easy here — I’ve got a lot to give, and I know it helps. That makes it feel natural.
📸 Today’s photo: two of the young paddlers, one coaching the other. I just stood back and watched. The lad on the right, who I’ve worked with for a while, was passing on not just skills — but the way we do things. Quiet discipline, joy, focus, fun. All in there.
Those are the bits that hit different. Not heavy. Just real.

Still walking for Dad. Still smiling at what’s being passed forward.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #YouthCoaching #LegacyInAction #WalkWithPurpose #HopeInAction #LeaveANote #NottinghamWhitewater #CoachLife

Day 15 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Somehow, I’ve already passed 62 miles.
I always knew the walking wouldn’t be the hard bit — I’m out most days with Mauii anyway — but what’s really surprised me is how much I’ve valued the focus, the small daily challenges… and the feedback.
So many of you have reached out — and it means a lot.

When Dad died, I felt compelled to do something. Dementia is a cruel, quiet thief — especially vascular dementia. It takes someone in pieces, with each little stroke. Slowly, it strips away the character of the person you love.

Dad was with us until near the end — and we were lucky in that. But the way dementia moves… it leaves a scar. This walk is part of how I’m dealing with that.

I’ve also signed up to Join Dementia Research — a government-led initiative helping people with and without dementia take part in studies that could one day change everything.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was clipped to a wire fence — an inspired one today
🗣️ Not many conversations today
🌱 No major good deed — but still showing up
📸 Photo from earlier this week — forgot to take one today

Still walking with meaning. Still walking for Dad.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #VascularDementia #HopeInAction #JoinDementiaResearch #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote #GriefAndAction #StillGoing

Day 14 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Well… today was the funeral.

It was a sad day, of course — but also a truly beautiful one. Everything went smoothly, and the ceremony itself was deeply moving.

Afterwards, I spoke with so many people. A whole line of ex-firefighters came up to share stories — moments they remembered, laughs they’d had, things they’d experienced with Dad. What struck me most was the consistency. The man they described was exactly the man I knew — steady, kind, dependable, funny. That was special.

Later, at the gathering, more people told their own stories. It all added up to something quietly incredible — a reminder of just how deeply and positively Dad had touched the world around him.

I’m so proud of the man he was.
So grateful for the light he shone ahead of me — the example he set without ever needing to make a fuss about it.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was a little different. I wrote two: one for my mum, and one for my sister.
Two strong, brilliant women who I’m just as proud of — and who’ve carried so much with such grace.
🗣️ Countless conversations today, each one carrying a memory
🌱 As for good deeds — it felt like one of those rare days where everyone was giving something, and we were all quietly blessed by it
📸 Today’s photo is one I’ll treasure — my dad, me, and Emi. A moment full of love and light.

Still walking for Dad. Still holding everything he gave me.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #FuneralDay #FamilyPride #SharedStories #LegacyOfLove #Firefighter #LeaveANote #HopeInAction #GriefAndGratitude

Day 13 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Busy day again today, so I headed out for a late walk this evening — and I’m glad I did. The light was beautiful, and the walk gave me more than I expected.

Saw deer.
And then… two badgers.
I’ve never seen badgers on these walks before — and definitely not two. The first was a big one, and to my surprise, Mauii (who never chases deer or anything really) decided to give it a go. Thankfully, his recall is solid — could have gone very differently.

The second was smaller, and I even managed to get a photo — not a brilliant one, but I was keeping a respectful distance. I’ll be honest: I’m a little bit scared of badgers. They’re solid creatures.

Tomorrow is Dad’s funeral.
I won’t say much about that now. What I will say is that the past few days have brought messages, phone calls, little check-ins from friends and family — and it’s been humbling.
There’s something quietly powerful about people just reaching out with no agenda other than care. I’m truly grateful for that.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went on one of my favourite parts of the walk — a good one today, left with a full heart
🗣️ Some nice conversations along the way — mainly from people curious about the badgers!
🌱 No standout good deeds today… maybe I’m saving a few up. Some days, even when you look for them, they don’t quite show themselves.
📸 Photo from the long walk — soft light, late sun, and the moment just right. Not the clearest snap of the badger, but still a rare moment to hold onto.

Still walking for Dad.
Still grateful for all of it.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #EveningWalks #UnexpectedWildlife #BadgerSpotting #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote #QuietGratitude #MauiiTheDog #HopeInAction

Day 12 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

If yesterday the miles were no trouble, today they were a lot of trouble.

Woke up with a stiff neck again — second time in three days. A pulled muscle down my back into my neck made moving around a real challenge. I was meant to be out on the river today with some brilliant clients, soaking up the sunshine, but instead I found myself sitting at the computer — cushion wedged behind me, trying to get comfortable, and quietly frustrated.

Still, I walked. Slowly, stiffly… but I walked.

A lot of my time today was spent working on new ideas and concepts — things I’m excited about, things that keep me going. I never really stop. That mindset — get up and get on with it — runs deep. And as I was finalising the eulogy I’ll be reading at Dad’s funeral on Wednesday, it struck me: he was exactly the same.

That willingness to push through, to carry on, to keep showing up — sometimes it gives us strength, and sometimes it replaces rest.
But it’s how he lived. And, I suppose, how I do too.

It might sound strange, but I’m actually looking forward to the funeral. Not because it’s easy — it’s not — but because it marks a moment in the journey. It’s a day Dad would have appreciated: no fuss, just getting on with what needs to be done. And a rare chance to gather with people who loved him, share stories, and remember who he was in full colour.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was dropped near the airfield — probably waiting to be found by someone like me: poking around where they don’t quite belong
🗣️ Not many big conversations today, but a few good moments of connection
🌱 Quiet day on the good deed front, but one phone call may have opened the door to something that matters
📸 Photo taken across the airfield — the Piper aircraft lined up in the sun, the same ones that fly over our house every day

Still walking for Dad.
And if you’ve found meaning in any of these messages — I’d love your support, in whatever form it takes.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #GriefAndMovement #QuietStrength #PiperAircraft #LeaveANote

Day 11 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Miles were no trouble today — I got them in without a second thought.
I was working up in Nottingham at Holme Pierrepont, coaching a few of the athletes getting ready for the World Championships in June.

On the drive home, I found myself down a bit of a rabbit hole, listening to a podcast about the link between Type 2 diabetes and dementia — especially vascular dementia, which is what my dad had. I’ve become pretty fascinated (and let’s be honest, a bit angry) about the connection.

I don’t have diabetes, and I keep a close eye on my blood sugar — usually once or twice a week. It’s always been good. But like a lot of people, I grew up on the kind of diet we were all told was “healthy” — heavy on pasta, potatoes, and rice.

Now, we’re starting to understand that metabolic health is at the centre of so much. And those long-term, high-carb diets? They turn into glucose. And over time, that has real consequences. What we’re seeing more and more is that metabolic disease is at the heart of so many of the things that are getting at people — including dementia.

I don’t want to get political, and this isn’t a lecture. But I am paying more attention now. Because watching my dad fade the way he did… it makes you question everything. It makes you want to stay on top of the things you can control.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote is still sitting on my desk — written for Nottingham, for a spot by the water. I’ll take it next time I’m up there. Some notes just know where they belong.
🗣️ Lots of great conversations today — at the course, and later on a local walk. Even got chatting about a Messerschmitt car.
🌱 Plenty of quiet good deeds today — it’s always easy to be useful in a coaching environment
📸 No photo today — just a video clip from a fun little challenge I set: how many loops (forward pitch rotations) can you do in one minute? I can do 3. These guys hit 16–20. It’s chaos. It’s brilliant.

Still walking for Dad. Still trying to make sense of it all.
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #VascularDementia #Type2Diabetes #MetabolicHealth #HolmePierrepont #CoachLife #HopeInAction #LoopChallenge #LeaveANote

Day 10 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Getting going this morning was hard. Somehow I’d cricked my neck yesterday, and I just couldn’t seem to shift the stiffness or the low energy. It took a while — but eventually, I got moving, got something done, and by this afternoon, I was feeling a lot better.

And I’m glad I waited for the afternoon — blazing sunshine gave way to something a little cooler, perfect for walking the dog.

We always had dogs growing up — all shapes and sizes. My dad loved dogs. In fact, I don’t think I can remember him without one by his side. And dogs seemed to love him back — he had that calm, kind presence they just trusted.

When we got Mauii, I’ll admit I was a bit unsure. Dogs are amazing, but let’s be honest — they’re also work. They’re another set of needs and routines to juggle.
But he’s absolutely worth it.
Walking with Mauii brings such peace and presence. It gets me outside, keeps me moving, and helps me notice things I’d otherwise miss. And he’s very much part of the family now.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went out along my usual walk, just in a new spot — if someone’s been walking my path this month, they’ll have found a few messages by now
🗣️ Lots of conversations out on the trail — loads of dogs, loads of dog people
🌱 Good deed: Gave some encouragement to a young boy cycling with his dad — a small moment, but it clearly meant something
📸 Photo of Mauii in stunning light — summer sunshine filtering through the new leaves, blossom on the ground from the chestnut trees. Just magic.

Still walking in memory of Dad, raising funds for Dementia UK.
You can follow the journey or support it here:
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DogWalks #FamilyDog #GriefAndGratitude #DementiaUK #HopeInAction #LeaveANote #WalkWithPurpose #MauiiTheDog #ChestnutBlossom

Day 9 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Up early this morning for a stunning walk from Bourne End to Cookham. The river at this time of year is absolutely amazing — still, green, alive. And today I had company: a good old friend.
The kind of walk where the miles pass easily because the chat is good.

Lately, with Dad passing, I’ve really noticed how many people have been showing up — sending cards, kind messages, and simply being there. It’s reminded me just how valuable friendship really is.

It’s a funny old world — we use words like friendly and friendship almost interchangeably, but they mean very different things.
Being friendly is a great quality, and I’ve met so many people recently who’ve shown that warmth in small but meaningful ways.
But friendship? That’s different.
That’s who shows up when the noise dies down. That’s who stays in touch years later.
That’s who walks with you — literally or otherwise — when you really need it.

I feel strong through all this. Definitely on the reflective end of grief right now — not lost in it, but moving through it, contemplating the legacy of my dad and what it means in my own life.
And this walking… it’s helping.
And so are the people who’ve reached out — friends, old and new, just letting me know they’re there. That really does mean something.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was an uplifting message about friendship, left on a bench by the river at Cookham
🗣️ Lots of conversations today — both on the early walk and later while working down at the river in Hurley
🌱 No big good deed today — just trying to be a decent person, offer a smile, and stay open
📸 Photo taken from the Cookham footbridge, just downstream of the Bounty — a beautiful stretch of the Thames. The photo barely does it justice.

Still walking in memory of Dad, and raising funds for Dementia UK.
You can follow along or support here:
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #FriendshipMatters #FriendlyVsFriendship #GriefAndGratitude #WalkWithPurpose #DementiaUK #HopeInAction #LeaveANote #Cookham #RiverThames

Day 8 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Right back at it today — and a very, very good walk.

As I headed out, I pulled on my hat. Anyone who knows me knows I love wearing hats. There’s something about it that just helps me feel ready. Stronger. More myself, somehow.

It got me thinking about my dad. Throughout his life, hats (or helmets) were part of who he was. In the Merchant Navy, there was the cap. In the Fire Brigade, it was the fireman’s helmet. Later on in health and safety, it was the builder’s hard hat.

And each time he put one on, he stepped into a role. That hat became a symbol — not just of the job, but of purpose, presence, and doing what needed to be done.

I remember as a kid, seeing him in uniform — especially the fire gear. It always meant something. He was still Dad… but he was something more at the same time. Someone others could rely on. Someone ready to face things head-on.

I’m not sure he ever said it out loud, but looking back, I see it now.
And maybe that’s why, when I pull on a hat before coaching or heading out into the world, I feel a shift too. A small reminder of what I stand for — and who I want to be.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote was left on a fencepost at the very top of the Long Walk
🗣️ A couple of gentle conversations, but truthfully — I was deep in thought for much of the day
🌱 A few good deeds, but quite personal ones today — ones that didn’t need to be shared
📸 Photo of the day: a Wiltshire Fire Brigade helmet, similar to the one Dad wore when he started out

Still walking in memory of him. Still learning from the things he never had to say.

👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #ForDad #DementiaUK #FireBrigade #MerchantNavy #TheHatYouWear #IdentityAndPurpose #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #LeaveANote

Day 7 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Very short walks today, but three new conversations — and I now know their names

#LeaveANote went on a style near the lake — peaceful spot, a quiet message left behind

Good deed: rescued a cat. (Didn’t see that one coming either!)

Photo of the day: my brilliant wife, out celebrating her birthday

Still walking for Dad. Still grateful.

If you’d like to support the walk or follow the journey, here’s the link:

https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

Day 6 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Two walks today

#LeaveANote went out on the second walk — a bit of a joke in it. My humour’s a little abstract, so I hope whoever finds it gets a laugh.

Getting to know more names — not just dogs now, but their owners too. Funny how just learning a name changes the whole conversation.

Today’s good deed… let’s just say it’s been done. That’s enough.

Photo today is of my son, my dad and me — three generations - taken at Cardigan Castle. One of those moments you don’t realise is special until later.

Still walking in memory of Dad, and raising money for Dementia UK.

You can support or follow the journey here:

https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

Day 5 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

I’ve certainly been getting through the miles — and today reminded me that sometimes, it’s just about getting up and getting on with it.

I felt really tired today. Not in a dramatic way — just that kind of heaviness we all feel now and then. But I still got out there, still walked, still did the things. That get-up-and-get-on-with-it attitude was something my dad lived by.

And with today being VE Day, it’s a reminder of a whole generation who lived by that same principle. People who rolled up their sleeves and just kept going — even in the hardest of times.

My walk was shorter today, but I visited the old airfield near where I live — once used by the Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII. These days it’s more commercial, full of light aircraft, but there are still some historic planes around. A subtle reminder of the day and the kind of quiet courage it represents.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went on a local bench — the one where the local lads often sit with a beer. Bit of a joke in the note today… something to make them smile when they find it.
🗣️ Spoke to a couple of people around the airfield
🌱 Good deed: Smiled at everyone I passed — one older gentleman looked at me like I must be mad, but he smiled back anyway.
📸 Photo of one of the WWII aircraft — think it might’ve been a Hurricane, but either way, it carried the weight of the day.

Still walking in memory of Dad, and raising funds for Dementia UK.
If you’d like to support the walk or follow the journey, here’s the link:
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #VEDay #ForDad #DementiaUK #WWIIHistory #HopeInAction #WalkWithPurpose #KeepGoing #LeaveANote

Day 4 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Today’s #LeaveANote went on a bench in a quiet park during my morning walk

Conversations came easily — walking with Maui always draws in fellow dog people

No special good deed today — just quietly doing what needs to be done, like Dad always did for us

Photo of the Dementia UK logo today — a reminder of why I’m walking

Still walking in memory of Dad, and raising funds for Dementia UK.

If you’d like to support the walk or follow the journey, here’s the link:

https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

Day 3 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

A mix of countryside walking and a family visit into Windsor today — and with it, memories of shopping days with Mum. Dad and I hated shopping, but we got dragged along, usually kept going by regular snack stops. It’s funny how even the grumbly memories take on warmth over time.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote went on a bench in Windsor, disguised (unofficially) as Royal Correspondence 👑
🗣️ Chatted to three people — I think two of them were tourists (but they humoured me kindly).
🌱 Good deed: Helped an elderly lady retrieve her pound coin from her trolley — not all heroes wear capes.
📸 Photo looking across the shopping yard near the train station — full of movement, memory, and the White Company.

Still walking in memory of Dad, raising funds for Dementia UK — and using each day to build habits that bring a bit more meaning into the world.

You can support the walk or just follow along here:
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #62MilesInMay #WalkWithPurpose #ForDad #DementiaUK #Windsor #HopeInAction #LeaveANote

Day 2 of 62 miles for 31 Days of Meaning

Today I walked up to the Cherhill White Horse and Monument — a place full of childhood memories walking with Dad, and teenage memories of messing about with friends. We’d always look up at the White Horse from the road and talk about it — this striking shape on the hill, always watching, always part of the view.

There’s something grounding about returning to a place layered with memory.
It reminds me that walking forward can also be a way of walking back — honouring the people, places, and stories that shaped us.

✉️ Today’s #LeaveANote is tucked in the cladding of the monument — I hope it finds the right soul.
🗣️ Spoke to three friendly strangers (and one very happy dog).
🌱 Good deed: It involved a spare dog poop bag and someone else’s forgotten mess — say no more...
📸 Photo looking up at the White Horse and the monument — glowing fields, big skies, and the White Horse still watching over Wiltshire.

Still walking in memory of Dad, raising money for Dementia UK.
If you’d like to support the cause or follow along, here’s the link:
👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/andrewjackson

#31DaysOfMeaning #WalkWithPurpose #ForDad #DementiaUK #CherhillWhiteHorse #62MilesInMay #HopeInAction #LeaveANote

Day 1 of 62 miles for #31 Days Of Meaning