Part 5

Lyn Cavaghan | Always Another Way

In August 2026, four women took on the Cumbria Way, walking from Ulverston to Carlisle over five demanding days to raise awareness and funds for Always Another Way, a West Cumbrian charity supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.

Five days of challenging terrain, torrential rain, aching limbs and extraordinary companionship created memories that will stay with the walkers for years to come.

But beyond the physical challenge was something far more significant.

Along the route, the women met people whose lives had been profoundly affected by mental health difficulties and suicide. People who gave their time, shared their experiences and helped bring home the importance of the charity’s work.

At the heart of the challenge was Lyn Cavaghan, Chief Executive of Always Another Way.

Although Lyn wasn’t one of the four women walking the route, she was the driving force behind the fundraising initiative and witnessed the extraordinary commitment of those who stepped forward to support it.

From the moment Catherine Williamson met Lyn, she was struck by her determination, compassion and commitment to making a difference.

When Lyn called for support for the fundraising walk, Catherine was quick to rally the troops, perhaps slightly overselling the holiday element along the way!

What followed was an extraordinary five days.

In this final episode of the Cumbria Way series, Lyn joins Catherine to reflect on the experience as a whole.

What was it like to have these women take on the challenge? What did Lyn make of their determination, their friendships and the extraordinary people who came forward to support them?

And what has the experience meant for Always Another Way?

Lyn reflects on the fundraising, the generosity of those who supported the cause and the difference that support can make to people and communities across West Cumbria.

A fitting conclusion to five extraordinary days and five very different conversations.

And a reminder that, even in the darkest moments, there is always another way.

*****

Did you know that Assa Marra has become a community interest company?

We work specifically in West Cumbria to help young people develop confidence around communication.

To donate please click on the link.

https://www.givengain.com/project/Always-Another-Cumbria-Way-Team

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 4

Val Madine | A Moment Etched in the Fells

Five days walking the Cumbria Way, from Ulverston to Carlisle, brought together a group of women raising awareness and funds for Always Another Way, a West Cumbrian charity supporting mental health and wellbeing.

The August challenge was considerably tougher than anticipated, with relentless rain, demanding terrain and miles that seemed to stretch endlessly ahead.

But it also brought extraordinary friendship, laughter and moving encounters with people whose lives had been affected by mental health challenges and suicide.

Amongst a group of predominantly foreign marras was Val Madine, the only true West Cumbrian, although she has lived away from the area since she was 18.

Val had never undertaken anything quite like the Cumbria Way and, by her own admission, may have been in considerable denial about what lay ahead.

On the very first day, things took an alarming turn.

Val developed exercise-induced vasculitis, leaving her legs in such a state that there were genuine concerns about whether she would be able to continue.

But continue she did.

And in doing so, Val demonstrated a determination that perhaps even she hadn’t fully appreciated she possessed.

In this episode, Val joins Catherine Williamson to reflect on the experience and answer one of the Assa Marra questions.

What is the moment she remembers most acutely, and exactly where was she when it happened?

A conversation about determination, friendship, unexpected challenges and those moments that remain etched in our memories long after the journey has ended.

*****

Did you know that Assa Marra has become a community interest company?

We work specifically in West Cumbria to help young people develop confidence around communication.

To donate please click on the link.

https://www.givengain.com/project/Always-Another-Cumbria-Way-Team

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 3

Zelda Wilson | Finding Gold in the Cumbrian Dark

In August 2026, a group of women took on the Cumbria Way, walking from Ulverston to Carlisle to raise awareness and funds for Always Another Way, supporting mental health and wellbeing across West Cumbria.

Five days of demanding terrain, torrential rain and extraordinary companionship brought challenges that were as much emotional as physical.

Along the way, the walkers met people whose lives had been profoundly affected by mental health challenges and suicide, bringing home the importance of the cause they were supporting.

For one of the women, however, the challenge carried an additional significance.

Zelda Wilson was undergoing aggressive chemotherapy while preparing for the walk, having reached a point where immunotherapy was no longer working.

At a time of enormous uncertainty, training for the Cumbria Way provided much-needed structure, purpose and something positive to focus on.

One of the questions explored in Assa Marra is about resilience and finding the gold in the dark.

And few people embody that sentiment quite like Zelda.

Her determination to prepare for and undertake the challenge, while navigating the realities of cancer treatment, brought an extraordinary perspective to the experience.

In this deeply personal conversation, Zelda joins Catherine Williamson to reflect on resilience, determination and finding meaning and purpose even in the most challenging circumstances.

A remarkable perspective from a remarkable woman, and a reminder that sometimes the brightest gold is found in the darkest places.

*****

Did you know that Assa Marra has become a community interest company?

We work specifically in West Cumbria to help young people develop confidence around communication.

To donate please click on the link.

https://www.givengain.com/project/Always-Another-Cumbria-Way-Team

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.