Protaras to Paphos on foot

Raising money for and awareness of the work of Pasykaf will see one local man trek 185km from one side of the island to the other in just three days. ALIX NORMAN hears about his plan

This coming weekend, George Stylianou will be walking across Cyprus. It’s a trek of 185 kilometres – from one end of the island to the other. But it’s not something he can do alone. George needs your help…

“I’ll be starting in Protaras and hiking to Paphos in the space of three days,” says the 55-year-old. He’s quietly adamant that he’s going to make it. Not because this is a personal test; this isn’t about the challenge or the glory. Instead, it’s for all the friends and family he’s known who have suffered from cancer.

“This is a walk for Pasykaf,” he explains. “Who do you know or have known who has had cancer? It’s for them. It’s for every family member or friend, be they in Cyprus or abroad, who has been affected by this disease.”

Raising both awareness and funds for cancer research is extremely important to George, who has seen two close family members and several friends die from the disease. “I’ve even chosen my start and end points with cancer patients in mind,” he adds. “One of my oldest friends who is fighting oesophageal cancer lives in Protaras; my cousin’s wife, another sufferer, is based in Paphos.”

It’s a heart-breaking tale, but one that has spurred George to do much good over the years. When he was based in the UK, he ran 300 kilometres round the city of Leicester to raise money for cancer research. He’s also rowed 325,000 kilometres – “on a rowing machine in the gym! Golly, my bum was sore!” – for the same cause. And, in 2019, he even planned to climb Everest…

“It didn’t happen,” he laments. “I was all set – I’d trained, I had my equipment and guide – when the news came through that Everest was closed! It was terrible; that was £5,000 in donations that wouldn’t go where it was most needed.” Fortunately, not one of the pledges was recalled: “Every single person who’d donated asked that the money still go to cancer research. When something like that happens, it confirms your faith in humanity. I was humbled.”

This coming weekend, George will once more be banking on his faith in humanity as he completes his epic trek from one end of the island to the other. Because every cent – “not just profits or proceeds; whenever I undertake a sponsored event, I cover all my own expenses,” he emphasises – will go to Pasykaf.

This is where you come in. Yes you, our reader. Because by donating just the price of a coffee, you could make a real difference. “I’m an accountant,” says George with a laugh, “so I’ve done the math! If just 10 people are willing to contribute the price of today’s coffee, that’s €20 right there. It may not seem like much, but every little helps with Pasykaf’s incredible efforts.

“It’s not just the cancer research,” he adds. “This is an organisation that ferries cancer patients to and from hospital appointments, helps people through treatment, is there for grieving families. They’re quietly having a huge impact right where it’s most needed.”

Although he’s too humble to think it, George himself is also having a huge impact. Already, his walk is being shared across social media, and hundreds have donated – both in Cyprus and abroad. There are even a few businesses who have contributed – “supporting this cause is 100 per cent tax free!” George notes. And, by setting up a dedicated PASYKAF bank account, George has ensured the entire donation process takes just a few seconds.

“I get it,” he acknowledges. “I understand the cost of living is high at the moment, and disposable income is not what it was. But if you’re reading this and waiting for someone else to donate, so are thousands of others. Please be the person who donates. Even a couple of euros.”

Of course it’s not just about the money, George continues. Raising awareness is also key. “I’ll be live streaming, posting on the hour, and sending updates across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter so everyone will know where I am, what I’m doing, and why. If they come out and find me en route, maybe add a few ice cubes to my water bottle, it would be much appreciated! If you’d like to give me any cash for the cause, I’ll walk straight to the nearest bank and deposit it into the Pasykaf account. And if you just want to walk alongside me for a while, I’d welcome your company…”

George will be passing through more than 30 villages and the three major towns of Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos, walking roughly 60 kilometres each day. On October 14, it’s Protaras to Larnaca. October 15 will see him finishing on the western outskirts of Limassol. And by the evening of October 16 – “the most challenging stage; the ups and downs and twists and turns of the coastal road!” – he hopes to reach Paphos, where his long walk will culminate at the port.

“There’s no celebration or anything,” he adds. “But if you’d like to pop along and say hi, that would be awesome. I can’t promise I’ll be bouncing with energy. Even at the best of times, I’m not one for pomp and circumstance; I’m terribly unphotogenic and a quiet soul,” he jokes. “But if there does happen to be someone to welcome me, that would be nice…

“Because, at the end of the day, this walk isn’t a solo effort. It’s for all of us – everyone who has seen their lives touched by cancer. I’m just the one doing the walking. It’s you out there who, through your donations, make the true difference. And I thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

You can follow George’s walk for cancer live online through the Instagram account @y0g5_5tylianou or the Facebook page ‘Protaras to Paphos’

To donate, visit https://www.jccsmart.com/e-bill/invoices/6670/pay or Bank of Cyprus 35701214575, IBAN: CY32 0020 0195 0000 3570 1221 4575

THE ROUTE

START: October 14, 9am at Karma Life in Protaras

END: October 16, evening, at Paphos Port

DISTANCE: 185km

TIME: 10 hours per day

OCT 14: Paralimni, Sotira, Liopetri, Xylofagou, Dhekelia, CTO Beach, past Oroklini, Larnaca, Meneou.

OCT 15: Klavdia, Alethriko, Anglisides, Kofinou, Skarinou, Choirokitia, Mari, past Governors Beach, Agios Georgios, through into Limassol along the coastal raod

OCT 16: Limassol, Kolossi, Episkopi, Paramali, Avdimou, Pissouri, Petra tou Romiou, Kouklia, Mandria, Timi, Acheleia, Yeroskipou, Paphos Port