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A member of the Polhill Garden Centre team is preparing to take on an extraordinary challenge soon in support of people living with a rare form of blood cancer.

Andy Mountney, Head of Loyalty & Promotions at Polhill Garden Centre, will walk the entire 630 mile South West Coast Path between May and July 2026, raising funds for the charity MPN Voice, which supports patients living with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

The challenge will see Andy and fellow walker Richard Card travel from Minehead in Somerset to South Haven Point in Dorset, covering the entire length of the famous coastal trail. Over the course of the walk they will tackle terrain equivalent to climbing Mount Everest four times, walking the distance of roughly a half marathon every day for 52 days.

The fundraising effort is deeply personal for Andy and his family.

You can support Andy’s fundraising efforts here:
Andy's fundraiser for MPN Voice helping Blood Cancer Patients -SWCP 2026

A Challenge Inspired by Personal Experience

Three years ago Andy’s wife, Kate, was diagnosed with MPN U, a rare form of blood cancer known as a Myeloproliferative Neoplasm.

MPNs are a group of conditions that affect the bone marrow. In Kate’s case, the illness causes the bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells and platelets, which can lead to a range of complications and requires careful long term monitoring.

Receiving a diagnosis of any serious illness can be overwhelming. When the condition is rare, the experience can feel even more isolating. Patients and their families often struggle to find clear information, support networks or others who truly understand what they are going through.

This is where the charity MPN Voice plays a vital role.

Andy and Kate discovered the organisation during the early stages of Kate’s diagnosis, and the support they received made a significant difference.

“Like many people facing a diagnosis, it was frightening and difficult to understand,” Andy explains. “MPN Voice provided reliable information, guidance and reassurance at a time when we needed it most.”

The upcoming walk is Andy’s way of giving something back.

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Walking the Entire South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is one of the longest and most challenging walking routes in the United Kingdom.

Stretching for 630 miles, the path winds along the dramatic coastline of the south west, passing through Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.

While the distance alone is impressive, the elevation gain makes the challenge even more demanding. The combined climbs along the route are often compared to climbing Mount Everest four times.

For Andy and Richard, the journey will take approximately 52 days, with the pair covering an average of around 20 kilometres per day.

The walk will begin in Minehead, Somerset, before following the rugged coastline through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain. The route eventually finishes at South Haven Point in Dorset, overlooking Poole Harbour.

Throughout the challenge they will be supported by Andy’s wife Kate, who will join sections of the walk whenever possible. Their dog Jasper will also accompany them on parts of the journey, giving the fundraising team the fitting name Team Jasper.

Sharing the Journey Along the Way

Andy and the team will be sharing regular updates during the walk, allowing supporters to follow their progress and see the incredible landscapes along the route.

Updates will be posted on social media throughout the challenge.

You can follow the journey here:

Facebook
SWCP 2026 Charity Walk

Instagram
@swcp_2026_charity_walk

Supporters will be able to track how far the team has travelled, see behind the scenes moments from the walk and learn more about the cause they are raising money for.

What Is MPN Voice?

The charity Andy is supporting, MPN Voice, plays an essential role in supporting people affected by Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

MPNs are rare blood cancers that affect the way the bone marrow produces blood cells. The three most common forms include:

• polycythaemia veraessential
• thrombocythaemia
• myelofibrosis

These conditions often develop slowly and can be difficult to diagnose. While treatments exist to help manage symptoms and reduce complications, many patients live with the condition for years or decades.

Because MPNs are relatively uncommon, patients can struggle to find reliable information or others with the same condition.

MPN Voice exists to help bridge that gap.

Support, Education and Community

One of the charity’s most important roles is providing clear and accessible information for patients and families.

After a diagnosis, many people are left searching for trustworthy advice about symptoms, treatments and what to expect in the future. MPN Voice works to make that information easier to understand and widely available.

The organisation also helps connect patients with others who share similar experiences. This sense of community can make a huge difference to those who may otherwise feel isolated by a rare diagnosis.

Through online resources, patient forums and educational events, MPN Voice helps people living with MPNs feel supported and informed.

Funding Research Into Blood Cancer

In addition to supporting patients and families, MPN Voice also plays an important role in funding research.

Understanding of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms has improved significantly in recent years, but there is still much to learn about how these conditions develop and how they can be treated more effectively.

By funding medical research and supporting scientific collaboration, the charity helps drive progress towards better treatments and, ultimately, potential cures.

Fundraising efforts like Andy’s challenge help make that work possible.

A Challenge With a Purpose

The South West Coast Path walk will be physically demanding, but Andy sees the challenge as an opportunity to raise awareness as well as funds.

“We want to give something back to MPN Voice for the support they gave us,” he says. “If we can help raise money that supports other families and contributes to research, then every mile will be worth it.”

With 630 miles ahead of them, the journey will certainly test endurance and determination. Yet the motivation behind the challenge remains clear.

By sharing their story and inviting others to support the cause, Andy and Team Jasper hope to make a meaningful contribution to a charity that has already helped many people facing a difficult diagnosis.

How You Can Support Andy’s Fundraising

Andy has set up a JustGiving page where supporters can contribute to the fundraising effort.

Donating through the platform is simple and secure. Contributions go directly to the charity, helping support both patient services and ongoing research into MPN conditions.

If you would like to support Andy and Team Jasper as they prepare for this incredible challenge, you can donate here:

Andy's fundraiser for MPN Voice helping Blood Cancer Patients -SWCP 2026

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help support people living with blood cancer and the work being done to better understand these conditions.

The Polhill Team Is Behind Andy All the Way

Everyone at Polhill Garden Centre is incredibly proud of Andy for taking on such an ambitious challenge.

Walking 630 miles along one of the UK’s toughest coastal paths is no small feat, but it reflects the determination and generosity behind the fundraising effort.

As preparations continue over the coming months, the Polhill team will be cheering Andy on every step of the way.

We wish Andy, Richard, Kate and Jasper the very best of luck as they prepare for the journey ahead and we look forward to following their progress when the walk begins next year.

If you would like to support the cause or follow the adventure as it unfolds, be sure to visit Andy’s JustGiving page or follow the updates on social media.