78-year-old ‘Welsh Grandad’ with cancer walking 450 miles for charity

AT St Davids on Tuesday, August 11, 78-year-old ‘Welsh Grandad’ will complete an extraordinary 450-mile walk across Britain in aid of four cancer charities across the UK.

Whilst fighting cancer, grandfather John Parry will walk over 450 miles along the Via Beata pilgrimage route which finishes in St Davids in Pembrokeshire, to raise money for Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Farleigh Hospice in Essex and St David’s Hospice in Newport.

He inspires thousands as @WelshGrandad on social media platform TikTok, where he shares daily videos of his walk.

Grandad began his coast-to-coast long distance walk on June 21, setting off from Lowestoft in Suffolk.

Despite receiving ongoing cancer treatment and the daily struggles that come with it, Grandad has committed to completing the walk “one step at a time and one day at a time”, a phrase he shares at the end of every TikTok video to encourage others to keep fighting.

A familiar and comforting presence online, Grandad posts daily on his social media platforms to support others affected by cancer, offering encouragement, honesty, and kindness to thousands. Now he is taking that mission offline and onto the open road across England and Wales.

“Cancer challenges you in every way, physically, mentally and emotionally but if this walk raises hope or helps even one person, then every step is worth it,” Grandad says.

In his ‘Givestar’ bio, Mr Parry explains:

“I am a 78-yr old Grandad who had a serious accident in May 2025; I fell off a ladder onto a brick patio and lost consciousness. An Ambulance was called as an emergency, who then called the Air ambulance as they needed a doctor because of his injuries. I was then taken to the emergency department at Colchester Hospital.”

His injuries included four skull fractures, broken cheekbone, two broken bones in the neck, two broken bones in the back, broken bones in both hands, dislocated fingers, two brain bleeds, damaged nerves in the neck and head, multiple cuts and bruising to head and face.

Whilst in hospital it was discovered that he had problems with his prostrate which needed surgery, and that resulted in finding that he has high grade bladder cancer. After further investigation and tests, they also discovered that he has cancer in his right kidney and markers in his blood.

After relating his story on TikTok he started trying to support all those with cancer and those looking after others who are suffering with cancer.

“I have always felt that what I was doing wasn’t enough and am determined to find a way of doing more,” he said.

“So I decided that the only way I could help was to try and raise funds to support various cancer charities… Hence my plan to complete a sponsored walk from the most Easterly point in England to the most Westerly point in Wales - a distance of over 460 miles - so please support me.”

Grandad’s target is to raise £75,000 to be divided between the four causes. So far, he has raised over £55,000, achieving 74 per cent of his goal. Supporters are able to follow his progress daily through his social media pages, including his training regime leading up to the event, where he is uploading updates, reflections and moments from his journey.

To support John Parry’s incredible pilgrimage and help him reach his target, head to https://givestar.io/gs/grandads-great-walk .

John expects to get to St David’s Head (grid reference SM 724 279) at 12 noon on Tuesday. We know he’d be absolutely delighted if some our readers could arrange to be in the area to form a welcoming party - so spread the word and let’s see if we can raise a crowd!