Poole brothers to walk more than 300 miles from Anfield to Hamworthy for their dad
Two brothers from Poole are preparing to walk more than 300 miles from Liverpool to Dorset to raise money for their dad after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Robbie and Ashley Cowler, known as the Cowler Bros, will set off from the Shankly Gates at Anfield Stadium on 12 October before making the journey home on foot to Hamworthy, Poole.
Over 12 consecutive days, the brothers expect to cover between 20 and 25 miles every day, crossing six counties and completing more than half a million steps before reaching their finish line at the Lakeside Social Club in Hamworthy.
Their motivation is their dad, Nigel Cowler, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer earlier this year.
Raising money for Nigel's treatment
Following Nigel's diagnosis, the family began fundraising to help him access specialist treatment and care.
According to the family, the treatment they are seeking in the USA comes at a significant cost, with medication alone costing around $1,500 per tablet and Nigel requiring 28 tablets each month.
The Cowler Bros have set an ambitious fundraising target of £360,000 to help towards Nigel's treatment and specialist care, while also using their challenge to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
For Robbie and Ashley, walking more than 300 miles is their way of doing something practical while their dad faces his own challenge.
From Anfield to Poole
As lifelong Liverpool supporters, the starting point for the walk holds particular significance for the family.
The brothers will begin at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool FC, before making their way south across the country and eventually back into Dorset.
The family's connection to the club's famous anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, has also become an important message behind the challenge.
Robbie and Ashley say it represents the promise that their dad will not face his diagnosis alone.
The walk is scheduled to take place from 12 to 24 October 2026, with the brothers completing between 20 and 25 miles on foot each day.
After crossing more than 300 miles of roads and six counties, their final destination will be back home in Hamworthy.
A charity night at the finish line
The challenge will conclude at the Lakeside Social Club on Hamworthy's Lake Road, where a charity night will mark the end of their journey.
The brothers hope their challenge will not only generate donations for Nigel's care but encourage more people across Poole, Bournemouth, Dorset and further afield to learn about pancreatic cancer and its symptoms.
The family is also planning to document the journey through the Cowler Bros social media channels, sharing updates as Robbie and Ashley make their way from Liverpool back to Poole.
Every public donation goes towards the campaign
The challenge is being supported by corporate sponsors Genie Lending Ltd, Genie Residential Mortgages and Finanta, who are helping cover essential logistics associated with the walk.
The family says this means 100% of money donated by members of the public can go directly towards Nigel's care and their wider fight to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
How to support the Cowler Bros
The family is encouraging people across the local area to get behind Robbie and Ashley ahead of their huge October challenge.
Whether that's through donating, sharing Nigel's story or following the brothers' journey, every bit of support can help the family move closer to its fundraising target.
Donations can be made through the family's GoFundMe campaign:
Updates from the walk will also be shared through @Cowlerbros on TikTok and Instagram, as well as the Cowler Bros Facebook page.
Robbie and Ashley will leave Anfield on 12 October, with their journey set to finish back home in Hamworthy, Poole, on 24 October 2026.
More than 300 miles, six counties and over 500,000 steps, all for their dad.
You’ll Never Walk Alone.
