Bearsden woman fulfilling wife's dream to walk UK coastline reaches halfway point

A woman walking 5,000 miles around the UK coast in memory of her wife has reached the halfway point.

Tracey Howe and Angela White met each other whilst working in a hospital in Sunderland. The pair spent 37 years of their lives together, having been married for nine of those years.

The couple moved to Bearsden nearly two decades ago where they continued to raise their sons Will, and Dan.

Angela was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow and plasma cells, and Amyloidosis, a rare condition linked with blood cancer.

Six months later in September 2023, Angela passed away aged 58.

Tracey set off from the Beatson in Glasgow on November 1, 2024, to walk the coastline, a trip she dreamed of making with her wife in a motorhome after retirement.

Angela and Tracey dreamed of travelling the UK coastline after retirement

The journey has taken Tracey all the way to Lands End and now she is making her way back north.

Despite the many different cities, towns and landmarks visited during the trip, the fundraiser believes the kindness people has been the real highlight of the journey.

Tracey told STV News: “People are being so generous with their time and donating.

“People have let me stay in their houses, fed me and done my laundry. Every time I meet someone I give them one of the crocheted hearts and it opens up the conversation.

“Often people shed a tear about not just my story but theirs as well.”

Tracey has been gifting strangers crocheted hearts.

The whole experience has given the 60-year-old, who has received support from Olympic Gold medallist Tom Daly, a completely new perspective on life.

Tracey said: “I used to be a planner and this really is forcing me to live in the moment.

“I need to enjoy everything and soak up the whole day.

“I’m focusing on just being.”

The journey itself hasn’t been easy, with the walker hit with wind and rain on some days, however, the memory of her wife has driven her forward.

Tracey has seen many landmarks on her long journey.

The mum-of-two said: “I talk to her everyday.

“I imagine her being with me and encouraging me.

“When I’m having a tough day and the terrain and elements are against me I call on her strength to give me a push.”

The former professor of rehabilitation sciences has set herself the target of raising £100,000 for five different charities including Brainstrust, Marie Curie and Beatson Cancer Charity.

Tracey, who will turn 61 during the trek, is also raising funds for Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel after her sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer.

To follow Tracey’s Trek on social media click here. To donate to Tracey’s Trek click here.