Dad treks 175 miles across Highlands to thank his son’s carers at Norwood

A dad walked 175 miles across the Highlands in eight days in a bid to raise more than £5,000 for Norwood – and the staff who care for his son.

Laurence Smith completed the trek along Scotland’s West Highland Way and Great Glen Way this month.

He camped outdoors, carrying all his own equipment weighing about 13kg on the way, to raise vital funds for Norwood.

He had been inspired by the care his son Jeremy receives in Norwood’s Adult Residential Services in North London.

Laurence walked from Milgavnie just north of Glasgow, along the bank of Loch Lomond, via Glencoe and Fort William, along the Loch Ness into Inverness, covering 22 miles a day on average without any rest days.

He wore a t-shirt during the challenge which was printed with a piece of artwork his son Jeremy designed using EyeGaze technology, provided by Norwood.

What kept him going was the dedication shown by the man who looks after his 30-year-old son Jeremy – Cesar Reyes.

Laurence said: “When I saw Cesar, Jeremy’s carer, I told him ‘I am doing this walk because of you, and as long as I’m able to do these kinds of challenges I’ll keep on doing them’.

“The care that Norwood offers is several levels above standard care.

“There’s basic care – taking need of someone’s medical and safeguarding needs. But my wife and I always wanted more than that for our son Jeremy and Norwood shared in our vision for him.

“We know that the people caring for him treat him as an individual and strive to support him to live his best possible life, not only meeting his needs, but ensuring his likes and wants are respected.

“Jeremy celebrated his 30th birthday recently with a fabulous party thrown by his Norwood family, with not one but two cakes. It’s the little things like that which mean a huge amount to me as a parent and give me faith and trust in everything that Norwood does.

“Carers receive very little recognition for the incredible work they do, but this is my way of shining a light on their dedication.”

Cesar said:: “Supporting Jeremy was quite challenging in the beginning but I’ve spent five years gathering information about him and learning what his gestures mean.

“He’s at the centre of my thinking. I know his likes, his interests and understand the choices he makes.

“Because Jeremy loves outdoor activities, I support him to be able to do them.

“I also facilitate everything, from his health appointments to his daily activities. There are a lot of plans in place for Jeremy, including another Norwood Challenge.

“The team and I are also using assistive technology to enable Jeremy to communicate more clearly. I would like him to be able to express what he wants and how he’d like his life to be.”

Jeremy has severe learning and physical disabilities, with cerebral palsy, scoliosis – curving of the spine – epilepsy and reflux.

He left his family home for a Norwood home in North London in 2011.

Laurence’s fundraiser says: “He is settled and happy among his new family of seven young adults with a range of learning and physical conditions.

“While COVID ravaged around the globe, Norwood’s homes suffered terribly. People supported by Norwood and the Norwood staff faced enormous physical and mental health challenges as a result of lockdowns. Relatives and friends could not visit their loved ones. The homes had to grapple with the intricacies of ever-changing legislation and safety policies, wearing protective gear and staff shortages. Their costs soared and their dependency on charitable donations has never been greater.

“Yet throughout this awful period, Norwood’s staff have dedicated themselves and remained cheerful. Whenever I visit Jeremy, I feel truly humbled by what they do for him and others. They do not get the recognition they deserve. So please donate generously to Norwood and help make their lives just a little easier.”

Laurence has so far raised more than half of his £5,000 fundraising target, and is continuing to receive donations at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laurence-smith5