A Piece of Her on the Trail: Cheltenham Man Honors Late Wife with Camino Pilgrimage

Matt Miles from Cheltenham embarked on a heartfelt 900km pilgrimage along the famed Camino de Santiago trail in Spain to honor the memory of his late wife, Katy. This solo journey was part of his “Miles for Katy” fundraising campaign, which has already raised over £9,000 for the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice—where Katy spent her final weeks.

Matt’s fundraising goal of £10,481 is deeply symbolic, reflecting Katy’s police collar number, 1481. Katy, a dedicated former Detective Sergeant with Gloucestershire Constabulary, was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and received compassionate care at the hospice.

Reflecting on the hospice’s impact, Matt shared, “Katy spent her last three weeks there, and I stayed with her alongside her sister, Lucy. The support we received made an unimaginably difficult time a bit more bearable.”

Although Matt walked the Camino alone, Katy’s spirit was close throughout. “She had always dreamed of doing the Camino de Santiago. At a point halfway along, pilgrims traditionally leave a keepsake from home. I brought one of her earrings and left it on the trail, so a part of her continues this journey.”

The trail posed significant challenges—from mountainous hikes to coastal routes—but Matt was buoyed by the generosity and encouragement of supporters back home. One pivotal moment came after a tough day marked by heavy rain and a booking mishap. Checking his fundraising page that night, Matt found a generous £500 donation, which uplifted his spirits immensely.

Along the way, meaningful connections further sustained him. “Halfway through, I met another walker who had also lost his wife last year. We shared dinner and that moment was very touching and inspiring,” Matt said.

Looking back on his accomplishment, Matt believes Katy would be proud. “She loved meeting new people and would have enjoyed the whole experience, chatting with everyone along the way.”

Completing the pilgrimage is just one milestone in Matt’s ongoing tribute. Next up is the London Marathon, followed by the Big Dip—a cold-water swimming event at Cheltenham Lido on December 7th. “Swimming isn’t my usual thing, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge,” he admitted.

The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is a centuries-old pilgrimage route that has surged in popularity, especially after its depiction in the 2010 film “The Way,” and more recently through social media and post-pandemic travel experiences.