This is probably my last hurrah before this awful cancer finishes me off.  That is why I am organising the Walk of Life — a sponsored walk to raise funds for local community improvement projects across the Banbury Grimsbury & Castle electoral division.

I made many commitments when I was elected in 2025, and I fully intend to keep them. From local play equipment, to park benches, living walls, improved public realm, interpretation boards and many, many additional trees.

The Councillor Priority Fund of £10,000 that I have is nowhere near generous enough to honour my commitments, so I am going to do a sponsored walk to raise additional funds for projects across my county council division.

The Walk of Life is my way of doing something practical and positive with the little time I have left. I want to raise as much money as possible, and — frankly — enjoy a good walk with good people.

Everyone is welcome: residents, friends, family, fellow councillors, and anyone who simply wants to show their support.

I will be walking 88 or so miles between 19th and 29th of September, 2026.

I am working through the logistics and will confirm everything as soon as they are finalised.

Please check back on this page, follow me on social media, or sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear when the date is confirmed.

The route will follow the Jurassic Way Long Distance footpath between the Lincolnshire town of Stamford and along the iron stone hills of Northamptonshire to Banbury.

The route will start in Stamford and will have nine stages: Stamford to King's Cliffe, King's Cliffe to Rockingham, Rockingham to Stoke Albany, Stoke Albany to Sibbertoft, Sibbertoft to West Haddon, West Haddon to Braunston, Braunston to Woodford Halse, Woodford Halse to Middleton Cheney, and Middleton Cheney into Banbury. We'll finish up at the end of the trail at Castle Quay in Banbury.

Full route details, including distance, terrain, and any accessibility information, will be published alongside the confirmed date. I want to make sure the walk is accessible to as many people as possible, so if you have any questions or requirements in advance, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the contact page.

Visit the Walk of Life sponsorship page to register your interest and find out how to donate. It's all live now, so no excuses: donate lots of dosh if you can, if you can't donate wish me well.

Find out how to donate →

If you'd like to come along and walk the route with me — for one of the nine stages or the whole 88 miles — get in touch via the contact page and we will sort out the details.

Every pound raised goes directly to community projects across Banbury Grimsbury and Castle Electoral Division.

Paul-Austin Sargent is the County Councillor for Banbury Grimsbury & Castle.