Carol’s Story
After her family, Carol Stanlake had two main pleasures in life: walking, and travel. Throughout her life, she travelled to over 50 countries spread over every continent on Earth, except from Antarctica. Her love for walking started with general walks such as the Saints Way across Cornwall, and local paths around her home. Following a move to Saltash in 1984, she also enjoyed letterboxing on Dartmoor.
The seeds were sewn for Carol’s love of the South West Coast Path on a walk from Par to Cremyll led by the National Trust. As many of us are, Carol was enchanted by the Path and, after taking on a few sections initially, she took it upon herself to walk the entire Path with her husband John, which was completed in 2008.
For Carol, the South West Coast Path was an enjoyable journey, and never a target to get from A to B in the shortest time. She savoured the scenery, the wildlife and the flowers, with a particular preference for orchids, all taken in after her mandatory pre-walk coffee. One of her favourite things about the Path though, was the community, the people she met along the way, and she would often chat to walkers who she met on her way.
Not being satisfied with completing the Path just once, Carol decided to take on the challenge again. Being a seasoned walker, Carol made good stead; however in 2018, with 145 miles remaining until completion, she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. A period of medical activity followed, before a self-guided waking holiday in the Gran Canary Highlands in January of 2019.
Despite what many would describe as a significant challenge with her health, Carol was a subscriber to the old adage that ‘you only live once’, and so wanted to live to the full. 2019 saw her complete all of the remaining sections to the North of the Path as far as Minehead, leaving only some of the southerly sections to go. After the lockdowns of 2020, and more determined than ever, Carol took on the final section on her list, from Lulworth Cove to Poole Harbour, taking four days to finally complete the path the second time round.
Recognising the challenges that were associated with her health, Carol chose to spend her remaining time walking along her favourite sections of the South West Coast Path, particularly in the Rame Peninsula, before she passed away in July 2022.
Giving Back
Carol, together with her husband John, had long been supporters of the South West Coast Path and of the Association’s work to protect, promote and enhance the Path experience for others to enjoy, just as they had done over many happy years. One of Carol’s later wishes was that she wanted to give a donation to the South West Coast Path Association in her memory, to leave a lasting legacy for future walkers, and for those whom she had met along the way.
Following his wife’s passing, John made contact with Impact Fundraiser, Will Keen, and the pair set about finding an appropriate way to remember Carol’s journey along the Path. Recognising the challenges of benches being installed along the Path, the pair set about doing something more meaningful which would have a real benefit to walkers, and came up with the idea of installing a sign in her memory.
The pair considered locations where there may have been a need, as well as where Carol may have liked to have seen a difference being made, and so when a replacement sign was needed on the Rame Peninsula, there seemed no better way to mark the difference that she had made.
Providing an in-memory signpost wasn’t something that the Association had done previously, but with some hard work and a flow of creative juices, the idea was drawn up and given the seal of approval by John, by the National Trails Officer, and by the landowners. The sign was installed in 2023, with John taking to the Path to see it in person, accompanied by Will and by SWCPA Director, Julian Gray.
How Can I Make a Difference?
You may have seen our blog article earlier this week, where we highlighted the possible impact that leaving a gift in your Will to the SWCPA could have. If not, please do give the post a read, as it offers a real insight into how much of an impact a gift could make. You can also view information on our website about leaving a gift in your Will by clicking here.
If you would like to remember a loved one who has passed away, we also have a range of ways that you can help to make a difference in their memory, just as John has done for Carol. From organising an in-memory walk to being part of a community, or even becoming a Memorial Mile Maker in their name. To find out more, take a look at our in-memory giving page, or contact our Impact Fundraiser, Will on will@southwestcoastpath.org.uk
The South West Coast Path 