The Test Way runs from Coombe Gibbet to Totton and is somewhere between 44 and 49 miles long. So when Strutt & Parker in Winchester put together a team to walk the Test Way in a day with a view to raising funds for the company’s chosen charity, a lot of people questioned whether the individuals were sane and whether the challenge was even possible. 

Earlier this year Strutt & Parker announced the firm’s charity was to be the Sebastian Coe Charitable Foundation whose main beneficiary is Cancer Research UK.

A scientist from The Crick Institute, which aspires to be one of the world's leading medical research institutes, explained what they were trying to achieve and this struck a chord particularly with the team in Winchester many of whom have been directly affected by cancer.

George Burnand, Partner at Strutt & Parker, takes up the story: “We appreciate that there are a lot of people asking for money and the challenges set are greater and greater. Members of our team have run marathons over the years and while no-one has quite scaled Everest, this to us is our own Everest. 

“Last year, I lost two friends with young families who had not yet reached 40. Simon North, a Partner in the office, has survived cancer but has been through the pain and pressure that it brings and has now lifelong injuries that while do not impact his ability to work do restrict what he is able to do. My mother is also fighting cancer and it would be wonderful to help in some way find some a cure. 

“With all of these scenarios starting to hit home it was only right that we should do our best for the Sebastian Coe Charitable Foundation.

“At 4.20 with just enough light to see the Gibbet against the morning sky we set off on the trail down through the downs around Linkenholt. After 3.5 hours we arrived at the Bourne Valley Inn for breakfast where blisters were checked and plenty of energy drinks were taken on board. This sent Jake skipping down the next mile and a half full of the joys of spring! This stretch was very pretty as we came through Longparish and reduced the average age by some way at the Friday coffee morning and then onto Chilbolton Common before stopping for lunch at the Mayfly. Leaving a sign saying Totton 21 miles briefly lifted spirits, before we all started to realise the magnitude of what we had taken on. After another 8 miles we arrived at Oakley Farmhouse where batteries were recharged before the final push. The next stage was properly tough with a lot of undulation and mud – Romsey Mill was a welcome sight. The last stage was largely about mind over matter and eventually we arrived at Eling Mill in Totton at 9.30 as the sun set.”

George concluded: “We are hugely grateful to those who have sponsored up, but if others would like to our site is:

S&P Winchester Office Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/struttandparker-winchester”

In addition to the Sebastian Coe Foundation, as a Winchester team, Strutt & Parker has also endorsed two other local charities, the Tara Scougall RNLI Fund to purchase a 44 ft lifesaving craft https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tara-Scougall and the Murray Parish Trust http://www.themurrayparishtrust.com/ who are raising money for children’s emergency and trauma department at University Hospital Southampton.