Source
to Sea
140km along the River Dee. From its source in the Cairngorms to Aberdeen Harbour. One promise kept.
The Five-Year Journey
Five rivers, five years. The Dee is just the start. Each year, the family will walk a different Scottish river in Charlie's memory, until the promise is kept five times over.
2026
River Dee
20–23 July 2026
2027
River Tweed
Coming 2027
2028
River Spey
Coming 2028
2029
River Findhorn
Coming 2029
2030
River Tay
Coming 2030
2026
River Dee
20–23 July 2026
2027
River Tweed
Coming 2027
2028
River Spey
Coming 2028
2029
River Findhorn
Coming 2029
2030
River Tay
Coming 2030
From source to sea
Nick and his family will walk the full length of the River Dee, starting at its source high in the Cairngorms and finishing where it meets the North Sea at Aberdeen Harbour. Four days. 140 kilometres. Every step for Charlie.
River Dee
140km
4 days
20–23 July 2026
The Drake Family
TCT & Leukaemia UK
Training updates
Follow the family's preparation as they train for the 140km walk.
Training walk 1 — 7 Feb
Latest from the Dee
“I'll see you at the river, mate.”
Nick's promise to Charlie
Two causes close to Charlie's heart
Teenage Cancer Trust
Specialist nursing and support for young people aged 13-24 with cancer.
Leukaemia
UK
Funding research to stop leukaemia devastating lives.