Bill's story

Published 10 April 2025 More in

Stories

Retired postman Bill delivers serious boost to St Christopher’s coffers by walking in memory of his mother and wife

After years pounding the Peckham pavements as a postman, it’s probably no surprise that, when Bill Smith dedicated himself to raising money for St Christopher’s, he’d do so by walking.

Completing every St Christopher’s Fun Walk – in company with his wife Yvonne, until her death in 2019 – and striding the 104-mile length of Hadrian’s Wall with his brother Tom, Bill has raised at least £3,000 for the hospice.

His motivation? St Christopher’s cared for his mother Ellen for the final three days of her life back in 1999.

“My four brothers, sister and I were all there when she passed away. Until then, I knew about St Christopher’s because we lived in Penge, but I didn’t have any personal interest in it.

Now I understand why people love it. It’s such a lovely place and they do an incredible job. The connection in the local area is so strong.

“I wanted a target and if I was going to raise money, I was going to do it for St Christopher’s”

“I took the decision that I wanted a target and if I was going to raise money, I was going to do it for St Christopher’s. In fact, if anyone knocks at the door from another charity, I just tell them I support St Christopher’s.”

More than 30 years’ working for Royal Mail, many of them on his five-mile ‘walk’ in Peckham, mean Bill has always enjoyed being on his feet. Forty years as a black belt in karate is another indicator of his active nature. Now 69, Bill can be found completing at least 10,000 steps around Beckenham every day, despite his own recent bowel cancer diagnosis.

That didn’t prevent him from completing 11 miles at the Fun Walk in May 2024, nor planning his next expedition with brother Tom. They’d hoped to complete the 177-mile Offa’s Dyke this year as a follow up to the Scottish border expedition. Bill’s hoping to return to that plan and another, to motorcycle on his prized Honda Goldwing, from Land’s End to John O’Groats next year, once he’s completed his treatment.

“I’m always positive. You have to be. I’m lucky I have a lot of family and friends and I can reach out if I need anything. And when I do any fundraising, I can always get lots of sponsorship”

It was when Yvonne’s health started to decline that Bill took early retirement to care for his wife who he’d met aged 17. After a few years enduring the symptoms of osteoporosis, she died of a haemorrhage. Donations to St Christopher’s at her funeral raised more than £1,000.

“We did every Fun Walk together and so I was determined to do it again this year and asked the doctors if it would be ok. They said it shouldn’t be a problem so long as I took breaks, water and snacks.

““My advice to anyone would be to be active and try raising some money because every little bit helps. It gives you a target, you don’t necessarily have to meet your goal, but it gives you something to aim for. Then pick a route that suits you, commit to the training, do some research and stay positive.”