In September 2026, Buddy, Makayla, Granddad Bill and Kim, who all live in Newton Aycliffe, will be setting off on an unforgettable road trip from the UK to Benidorm, Spain – and all the way back again, in our trusty car.
But this journey is about far more than the miles we’ll travel.
After receiving the blessing of Makayla and Millie’s Grandad Bill, we are proud to announce that the trip will be raising money for an incredible cause: The Great North Children’s Hospital.
Every penny raised throughout the journey will go directly into our dedicated charity fund and will be donated in full at the end of the trip.
How Supporters Can Get Involved:
To make the fundraiser even more special, the car itself will become part of the journey.
£1 Donation – Add Your Name to the Car
Supporters can have their name written on the car and travel with us from the UK to Spain and back again.
£5 Donation – Add a Personal Message
For a £5 donation, supporters can add a short personal message to the car. Many choose to dedicate messages to loved ones who are no longer with us – giving them a meaningful place on the journey too.
By the time we reach Spain, we hope the car will be completely covered in names and messages, each one representing someone who has helped support this amazing cause.
Challenges for Makayla:
Throughout the trip, Makayla will also be taking on a series of sponsored challenges along the way.
Some may be funny, some difficult, and some completely unexpected. Supporters who sponsor the journey may even get the chance to suggest challenges for Makayla to complete during the road trip.
Following the Journey
We’ll be sharing daily updates throughout the adventure, including:
Photos and videos from the road;
Stories from our travels;
Progress on the fundraising total;
The growing collection of names and messages covering the car;
From motorway service stations to arriving in sunny Benidorm, supporters will be able to follow every step of the journey with us.
A Journey in Memory of Millie:
This trip is especially meaningful because it is being made in memory of Millie, and in support of every child bravely fighting cancer.
As Part of the Tribute:
Memory Balloon / Lantern Release. When Makayla reaches Spain, we plan to release balloons or lanterns carrying the names of loved ones remembered throughout the journey.
Message Mile. Messages written on the car will travel thousands of miles, alongside Makayla, becoming part of the story and spirit of the trip.
How You Can Help
You can support Buddy’s Journey by:
Donating whatever you can.
Suggesting a challenge for Makayla.
Sharing the campaign to help spread the word.
Every donation, no matter the size, will help support the incredible work carried out by The Great North Children’s Hospital and the families facing some of the hardest moments of their lives.
We want this journey to be memorable, meaningful, and full of heart – exactly how Millie would have wanted it.
Thank you to everyone supporting Buddy’s Journey To Spain and Back 2026. Together, we hope to raise as much as possible for a hospital that provides life-changing care and support to so many children and families.
All money raised will go directly into our Great North Children’s Hospital charity fund and donated in full at the end of the journey . . . Let the adventure begin.
For more information telephone 07412 744931 or email:
kim.hedley@hotmail.com