This May, TownsWeb CEO, Paul Sugden, will be taking on the Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that holds a deep personal meaning.
Paul had previously set out to complete a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycling challenge in 2025, but made the difficult decision to cut it short last June after receiving the news that his mother-in-law’s cancer had progressed and she was being moved into hospice care.
Now, in her memory, and in gratitude for the care and compassion shown to his family by the Macmillan and Marie Curie nurses at the hospice, Paul is taking on this new challenge to give something back.
The Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike is one of the most scenic and accessible charity hikes in the UK, starting in the charming seaside town of Cromer and following the breathtaking Norfolk coastline.
Each year, around 35,000 hikers take part in Mighty Hikes across the UK, coming together to raise vital funds and make a difference for people living with cancer.
The challenging route will follow the coastal path for the majority of the journey, offering sweeping sea views, peaceful landscapes, and a chance to pass through picturesque fishing villages and expansive sandy beaches.
The impact of these events is significant. Since 2015, Mighty Hikers have raised over £70 million to support people living with cancer, helping charities like Macmillan provide essential care, services, and support when it’s needed most.
Paul shared why this challenge matters so much to him:
“I lost my wonderful mother-in-law, Geri, last year. A bright, funny, generous lady who was taken far too soon by cancer.
The Macmillan and Marie Curie nurses at the hospice were just wonderful in those final days. They brought not just clinical skill, but a kind of human gentleness that made the hardest moments feel less frightening. They treated her with dignity, listened when she and our family needed to talk, and created small pockets of calm when everything around us felt overwhelming.
Their presence allowed us to focus on loving her, rather than worrying about what came next. We will always be grateful for the compassion, patience, and grace they showed when it mattered most.
In her honour, and in gratitude for the incredible care she received, I’m taking on the Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike this May to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Nobody should have to face cancer alone, and Macmillan’s nurses and staff are exactly the kind of people you want in your corner: calm, kind, and endlessly compassionate.
Right now, almost 3.5 million people in the UK are living with cancer, and that number keeps rising. Macmillan’s mission is to be there from the moment of diagnosis and through every step that follows.
That’s where we get to help. Your donation, big, small, or somewhere in between, will help make sure no one has to navigate cancer without expert care, warmth, and unwavering support.
Together, we can make a Mighty difference.”
Every donation, no matter the size, will help Macmillan continue to provide essential care and support to people living with cancer.
By supporting Paul’s challenge, you’re helping ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.
To donate, please visit Paul’s Macmillan fundraising page.