Source to Sea - The River Dee Challenge

In October 2024, Charlie wasn't well. He was taken to A&E. Blood tests revealed Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. He was 18 years old. Our world changed in an instant.

Charlie was immediately blue lighted to Bristol's Teenage and Young Adult cancer unit, where his treatment began. The contrast between the young man who'd been completing his Royal Marines application and the patient arriving at a cancer ward captures the cruel randomness of the disease.

Charlie's ambition was to become a Royal Marine. He was completing his application form when he got sick — weeks away from his final interviews and then attending Commando Training Centre, Lympstone. The Marines represented everything Charlie valued: physical challenge, service, adventure, and brotherhood.

His character was unmistakable. Funny, direct, loyal, stoic. His catchphrases tell you everything: "Currently" was his go-to response during treatment — ask him how he was feeling and he'd say "Well, I'm okay. In three minutes, I probably won't be." "Stay in your lane" was what he'd tell Jo when she was fussing over him. "Be punchy" and "every day counts" were his philosophy. He was the kind of teenager who'd respond "Cool" to video messages from Bear Grylls and Ed Stafford. Understated to the end.

Charlie passed away at the age of 19. His final few words in the last few weeks were "Brave", pointing at us all, and "Be punchy." In those words, he gave his family their mission.

Nick's promise, "I'll see you at the river, mate", became the foundation for everything that followed. The Source to Sea challenge, these projects, and the website. It all flows from that promise at the river.

Scotland was Charlie's spiritual happy place. He enjoyed many hours salmon fishing with Nick on the River Dee. This was a challenge Nick and Charlie had been planning on completing once he was better.

As part of Charlie's legacy our family and friends are walking 140km from the River Dee's source in the Cairngorms to Aberdeen Harbour, 20-23 July 2026, this is the first major event. It follows the river from source to sea, just as Charlie's life flowed from beginning to its end, carrying everything along with it.

Charlie's Everyday Counts website exists to celebrate Charlie's life and to make a difference through causes he would have cared about. These projects support Teenage Cancer Trust and Leukaemia UK, the organisations that cared for Charlie and continue to fight for young people with cancer.

Full story and to watch how our training is going please follow:

https://www.charlieseverydaycounts.com

Every day counts. Charlie knew that. Now it's everyone else's turn.