Creating a legacy in Anna's name

It’s a journey Andrew and Debby Walker never expected, nor wanted, to take and the last 18 months since Anna’s passing have been incredibly difficult.

Knowing Anna would want them to take life by the scruff of the neck like she did is one thing; achieving that without her is another.

However, with Anna at the forefront of their minds, that is exactly what Andrew and Debby, her brother Ross (23) and extended family have been able to do.

Their focus has been raising as much money as possible for charities researching rare cancers, like the aggressive neuroendocrine cancer with which 25-year-old Anna was diagnosed in January 2025.

She passed away, just two months later on March 9, surrounded by her family in the loving care of Strathcarron Hospice.

In the months since, an incredible £38,670 has been raised in her memory for the hospice by the Walkers and friends all over the UK.

The family have also raised thousands for Cancer Research UK via a series of fundraisers, including £14,000 from the 2025 Business Beats Cancer 7 Hills Challenge in Edinburgh.

Held last year in Anna’s memory, the family fielded a team of 48 to raise funds for research into rare cancers. More than 200 people took part, raising £65,000 in total for cancer charities.

Anna herself had completed the 7 Hills with her dad on a beautiful sunny day in September 2023 so taking on the challenge in her memory last year made it all the more emotional.

However, Andrew and Debby are leading a team of 17 walkers on the 7 Hills once again next Friday.

“To see an army of 250 people assembled at the base of Arthur’s Seat, all walking in Anna’s memory, will forever be etched in our memories,” said Andrew. “It was pretty powerful and very emotional for us all.

“The camaraderie was incredible; it was another beautiful day and it felt like Anna was with us every step of the way. I’m sure she’ll be with us next Friday too.”

Team Anna will summit Arthur’s Seat first and, like last year, will walk between the 7 Hills to bring their total distance to 17 miles.

“It’s good to get the biggest hill out of the way first,” said Andrew. “The fifth hill is probably the toughest though. It’s not the biggest or steepest but Corstorphine is relentless and, by that point, you’re pretty tired.”

There won’t be much time for Andrew to recharge his batteries before pulling on his walking shoes again.

For he and five friends are taking on the 96 mile West Highland Way over the course of seven days to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice and St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie.

“My friend Billy McMillan organised the walk in memory of Anna and his dad Munro, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in the care of St Andrew’s in March 2024.

“Four other friends we meet up with regularly for rambles said they’d do it with Billy.

“Initially, I said I’d be happy to sponsor and support them; I’ve bagged a lot of Munros but never fancied the West Highland Way.

“When they started plotting the route and looking at accommodation, I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines and decided to join them – now I can’t wait to do it!”

When you add in the 7 Hills mileage, it will see Andrew clocking up more than 110 miles in two weeks.

They’ve split the route up into a week-long adventure, with the longest day being 23 miles and the shortest nine.

The team have already completed a number of rambles in preparation for kick off in Milngavie on September 12, with the walk concluding on September 18 in Fort William – on Andrew’s 53rd birthday.

“It’s just coincidence that we’re finishing it that day,” he said, “but we’ll celebrate that night with a wee drink and a toast to Munro and Anna. She’d be laughing at me doing them back to back!”

The money raised in Anna’s memory has been an incredible comfort to the family, as well as serving as a focus for their own grief.

“To have raised more than £38,000 for Strathcarron in Anna’s memory is an amazing amount,” said her proud dad. “Family and friends based in every corner of the UK have organised some amazing events off their own backs to raise funds – it’s been overwhelming and left Ross, Debby and I speechless at times.

“We feel Anna’s loss every day; it’s not easy and there are days we’ve all been down. Creating a legacy in Anna’s memory, though, has given us a focus which has helped us through the last 18 months – we’re living our lives with real purpose.”

Andrew is also now trying to shape policy, to help others who need palliative care in future.

He added: “A number of families are now working with the NHS, sharing their lived experience to shape its palliative care policy. I can’t think of a better way to remember Anna and make a difference in her name.”

To back Team Anna, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/annas-team-2026 and to support the WHW event visit https://gvwhl.com/DEEKZ.