COMMERCIAL CONTENT------NEWLY-retired couple Paul and Sue Robinson aren’t taking life sitting down - they’re about to do a mega 177-mile walk for Great Oaks Hospice, from the top to the bottom of Wales.

Having recently called time on running the Mills and Walker garage in Lydney after 34 years, they are bowing out by doing the epic Offa’s Dyke trek from Prestatyn to Chepstow in July.

And Paul, 73, and Sue, 71, will be launching their fundraiser in style with a giant retirement bash on Saturday, June 15, to say thanks to their “fantastic and loyal” customers.

The Brains Green couple, who have three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on May 20.

And Paul said: “We’ve got great memories of all our years at Mills and Walker. We’ve had great customers over the years - fantastic loyalty and friendships, and we’ll miss that everyday rapport with people, many who just dropped in for a chat.

“But we’re looking forward to an active retirement,” said keen musician and horse rider Paul, who might just take a travelling guitar with him on their charity trek.

“I’ve composed some songs, some of which I’ve recorded at Berry Hill studios, and some with a local theme, such as one about pigs in the Forest. And I’m thinking about taking a guitar with me on the walk, and playing a song and uploading it online every day.

“We’re already getting out doing long walks with our labradoodle Toby, who will be joining us on the walk, and there’s lots of other things to do now we’ve finally got time.

“We’re not going to curl up on the sofa and watch TV - I reckon I’ve climbed the equivalent of a few Eiffel Towers going up and down the pit ladder - so that’s kept me fit, and we’re really looking forward to the walk.

“We’ve also got time now to tidy up our cottage and land and make some music and get some riding in.

“Plus, next time we go to visit our son Andrew, who’s an anaesthetist in New Zealand, we won’t have to come home and go back to work just as we get over the jet lag. We can buy an old van over there and go on tour.”

Before taking over the Mills and Walker business in 1984, Paul had a workshop at the Naas wartime army camp in Lydney in the 1970s and then did repairs, welding and body work as Forest Car Repairs on the industrial estate.

“We used to get former GIs visiting the camp with their wives, and I used to joke to the wives that you could still hear the sound of gum chewing late at night!” he said.

“Sue has worked with me every day for 40 years and I wouldn’t have managed it without her. I did the MOTs and repairs, and she did all the admin.”

And teamwork will be to the fore when they set out on their epic charity walk.

Sue said: “We’re starting at Prestatyn because at least we’re walking home then. We’ll be doing 10 to 17 miles a day depending on the terrain, with some challenging hill sections along the way and expect to take 10 to 14 days.

“Paul said he wanted to camp, but I said you’re carrying the tent, sleeping bags and cooking equipment then, so we’re staying in bed and breakfasts!”

And Sue will be celebrating her birthday in the middle of the challenge, although she says she’s used to that, having celebrated her 71st on a 45-mile canoe trip from Hereford to Symonds Yat last year.

“We’ve spent all of our lives buried in the garage 10 hours a day, so we really love getting out in the open countryside,” said Paul.

The couple bought the Mills and Walker business in 1984, and have great memories of their time there.

“The previous owners were there for 39 years before us, setting the business up after being demobbed, taking over another car and bike business on the site dating back to the 1920s,” said Paul.

“So it’s been looking after local people’s vehicles for nearly a century, which is some achievement.”

And while running Mills and Walker, they still found time to raise their three children - Andrew, the doctor in New Zealand, James who is a pipeline inspector and lives in Yorkley, and Lynn, who was previously head of banqueting at Hampton Court Palace, and lives in Berry Hill.

“We’ve also got six grandchildren – Lynn’s eldest Beth is doing medicine at university, and her youngest Katie is at Monmouth Comprehensive, James’ daughter Zoe is a photographer and son Zak is a construction engineer, and Andrew’s son Euan is doing engineering in New Zealand, and Eirwen’s still at school there. Plus two great-grandchildren, Danny and Eric, who live in Yorkley,” added Paul.

The couple are marking their retirement with their fundraising push to help Great Oaks following the recent passing of Paul’s brother.

“I lost my brother Daniel three years ago on May 23, 2016, and saw the care that’s required. And knowing the good work the hospice does, we thought it would be great to celebrate our retirement by supporting it,” said Paul.

The hospice opened in 2005 and last year cared for nearly 400 patients. It also now has a ‘hospice at home service’ for those who want to be cared for at home.

It costs £600,000 a year to run, and its team of nurses cover the Forest area 24 hours a day, with referrals from GPs, district nurses and hospitals.

They also provide counselling and complementary therapy, while 180 volunteers support the nurses’ work, including at the six Great Oaks shops in Coleford, Cinderford, Lydney, Newnham, Mitcheldean and Newent.

“We’re just grateful to be fit and well enough at our stage of life to contemplate doing this walk and helping Great Oaks,” said Paul.

“And we also thought we’d throw a barn dance bash for everyone to kick it off and raise funds and awareness.

“A friend, Ba Tobin, is letting us hold the event at Little Box Farm on Awre Road in Blakeney, and we’re having folk singer Dick Brice and his band doing the calling, I’ll be playing a few tunes with some friends, and there’s a hog roast BBQ, a bar and an auction of promises,” said Paul.

“We’re extremely grateful to Ba, who is allowing us to use her barn and facilities at Little Box Farm, and all the people who will be helping, plus those donating to the promise acuction.”

Tickets are available priced £7.50 from the Review offices in Lydney, the Great Oaks hospice shops, Mills and Walker garage and Hannah’s Music in Chepstow, and accompanied 12s and under go free.

Walk sponsorship forms will also be available soon at the above locations and on the night of the fundraising retirement party, and the couple are planning to put up an online donation page.