An 11-year-old boy spent more than three months trekking 1,700 miles from Sicily to London just so he could give his granny a hug during l.o.c.k.d.o.w.n.
11-year-old Romeo Cox wanted so much to be with his grandmother, Rosemary, 77, that he decided to walk from Italy to Britain via Switzerland and France. About a year ago, Romeo moved to Italy with his parents, and since then was not able to visit his grandma who remains in Britain. He planned to visit her in late Spring but did not expect all flights to be canceled due to the p.a.n.d.e.m.i.c. The situation did not stop Romeo from deciding to go to his grandma… by traveling on foot!
Romeo looked forward to being able to hug his grandma again when they arrive in Britain. He was devastated upon learning that all flights from Italy to Britain have been canceled due to the pandemic. He and his grandma were close, so this did not stop him from being able to come to her. He couldn’t stop worrying since his grandma lived by herself, so he had the idea of walking back to England.
Romeo’s parents disapproved of his idea, but he begged, and seeing real concern for his grandma, they reluctantly nodded in agreement. On June 20, Romeo and his father traveled on foot from Italy to Britain via Switzerland and France, walking 2,735 kilometers and spending 93 days before finally arriving in the UK.
Romeo Cox and dad Phil, 46, fought off vicious wild dogs, tamed a feral donkey and slept under the stars during their epic adventure.
The pair set off from the Italian island’s capital Palermo on June 20 and spent the next 93 days walking through Italy, Switzerland, France and finally the UK ‘just to see granny’.
Romeo’s feet started having blisters, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his adventure. With sore feet and a book full of stories, they finally made it to Trafalgar Square on September 21. They are now isolating before they can be reunited with 77-year-old grandma Rosemary.
Romeo said: ‘We got lost a few times, we slept under a wasp nest which wasn’t a good idea, got bloody feet, but we never thought about giving up.
‘As we got closer I just kept thinking about seeing my Granny, and how excited I was.
‘I can’t wait to give her a cuddle, it’s been over a year since I last saw her. She was all alone during lockdown.’
‘I’m feeling tired now – like an old 100-year-old man – but it was so fun,’ he added.
Romeo – whose dad Phil is English and mum Giovanna is Italian – had been secretly planning his once-in-a-lifetime journey during lockdown, before asking his parents about ’50 times’ if he could make it a reality.
Romeo also hoped to raise money for refugees.
But visiting his grandma wasn’t the only motivation to keep going through the 5am wake-up calls and rough nights’ sleep – Romeo also hoped to raise money for refugees.
After completing the trip, the schoolboy is now close to reaching his £15,000 target for Refugee Education Across Conflicts Trust, with more than £12,000 worth of donations so far.
Romeo, who moved from Hackney to Palermo last year, was taught Italian by refugee children he befriended while playing football and wanted to give something back.
His friend Randolph, who migrated to Italy from Ghana, had to walk miles until he found safety.
Romeo began secretly planning his trip to see granny Rosemary, from Witney, Oxon, during lockdown. But because there were no planes flying to the UK at that time, he came up with a plan to walk.
Mum Giovanna was tearful as the pair set off on their way more than three months ago. The adventure saw them meet kind strangers, before they recruited Pedro the donkey to help carry their belongings.
The idea was to use no petrol, so they walked more than 80 per cent of the journey, using a sailing boat and bikes as well.
When Romeo and his Dad arrived in Britain, they were first quarantined for 14 days before they were allowed to reunite with grandma Rosemary. Romeo could not help but run into her arms when he saw his grandma and the joy on his face could no longer be hidden. Grandma Rosemary missed Romeo so much that she hurriedly came out of her home and welcomed him with open arms. The heart-warming scene has touched so many people’s hearts.
Hiking is fun and adventurous, but it’s easier planned than done. Romeo insists on hiking for more than 3 months just to get back to the UK to meet his beloved grandmother since he has sincerely set his heart into getting back to her.
Romeo said to Triangle News, “We had the best hug ever. I’ve really missed her.” In return, Rosemary replied: “Seeing Romeo set his journey just to be with me feels so special. Children can inspire us.”
Source: en.goodtimes.my, metro.co.uk
