Scots widow surprised by Tom Daley after 5,000 mile hike around the coast

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Scots widow who handed out knitted hearts on a 5000-mile hike around the UK coastline has received a message of support from crochet enthusiast and former Olympian Tom Daley.

Tracey Howe, a retired professor from Glasgow, who is a quarter way through her challenge, is giving out 5,000 crochet hearts along her walk to strangers to remind people of those they have loved and lost.

Ms Howe, 61, who is taking on the 365 day expedition in memory of her late wife Angela, was overjoyed to receive a video message from the diving legend.Mr Daly, 30, has also knitted several pink crochet hearts to “encourage more people to talk about their grief”.“For me the hearts are all about sharing the love and sharing stories, having Tom getting involved and sharing the message just means so much,” Ms Howe told the PA news agency.“I’m such a big fan and having him support my fundraising is amazing – it’s all about raising as much money as possible at the end of the day.” “When I heard about Tracey’s incredible e 5,000-mile fundraising walk, I started crocheting that night,” said Mr Daley. “Her story really resonated with me and it’s so moving to hear that Tracey is giving out crochet hearts to remind people of their loved ones.“I hope my hearts go a little way in encouraging more people to talk about their grief and helping Tracey raise as much money as possible for Marie Curie and all the other amazing charities she is supporting.”The mother-of-two started her coastline challenge from Glasgow last November and aims to finish there on October 31 2025.

She has already covered the Ayrshire coast, the Lake District and will have completed the entire Welsh coastline by the end of this week.