Walking in memory of Dinesh

Soumya’s story

As a charity Rennie Grove Peace receives only 14% of its funding from statutory sources. The other 86% of the cost of delivering its services is generated by the generous support of local communities. Fundraisers have a variety of reasons for supporting the charity – from personal experience to safeguarding the future of care should they or those around them need it in years to come. For Soumya Dinesh, managing director and co-founder of Atula Technologies, in High Wycombe, fundraising for Rennie Grove Peace is a way to continue the support that her husband, Dinesh, gave to the charity. Soumya says:  

“My husband, Dinesh, was a big supporter of Rennie Grove Peace. We haven’t known anybody close to us receive care from the charity but we’ve always admired what it does and the huge difference the charity makes in our community. Dinesh used to say ‘it’s important for everybody to have a dignified end’ and I know that is what Rennie Grove Peace offers to people in our community. Dinesh knew that it doesn’t matter what a person’s age or background is, the care that the charity provides is available to all.”  

Dinesh sadly died, suddenly, in April 2024. Continuing to support the charity is something that Soumya has chosen to do in Dinesh’s honour. She says:  

“Dinesh took part in last year’s London Bridges Walk. I didn’t do that one with him as he signed up at the last minute with no time to plan for it or train! That was just his style! He absolutely loved the event, though. He talked about it for weeks afterwards and had been keen to take part in the charity’s Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge. Sadly that wasn’t to be.” 

Finding a love for walking

Despite not previously being a walker, Soumya was surprised to find it helped her while dealing with the loss of Dinesh.  

“In the depths of my grief, a friend of mine suggested we get out in the fresh air together and go for regular walks. This was not something I’d ever previously taken the time to do. But I was struggling a lot and I knew she was trying to help. So my friend and I started a habit of getting out for a walk together every Saturday morning. I came to really look forward to those walks and it’s something we still do now.  

“Walking has helped me so much. Going for a long walk in the fresh air allows me to empty my brain and come back feeling better. I find that being out in nature helps me to accept what has happened. It is so soothing.” 

After finding a love for walking, Soumya has decided to combine it with her desire to continue Dinesh’s support of the charity, by signing up for two walking challenges. She says:  

“Dinesh started something fabulous and I’ve vowed to keep that alive. I have signed up for this year’s London Bridges Walk with my two sons and a big group of friends. I know I’ll enjoy the walking and it will be wonderful to have so many loved ones together. It will be bittersweet to think of Dinesh as we walk but we’re doing this in his honour and I’ll have so much support around me.” 

Taking on our Trek China 2026 challenge

Soumya’s other walking challenge is the charity’s Trek China 2026 which promises to be a unique and unforgettable adventure along the iconic Great Wall of China. She says:  

“I am nervous and excited in equal measure about Trek China. For me, walking has been a transformational thing and this challenge is phenomenal for me. A year ago I never would have believed I would even be into walking, never mind that I would take on a challenge like Trek China. Dinesh would have loved me doing this. That’s how he was – always encouraging me to do things, to have experiences, to get out and about. I feel like he is encouraging me from another realm with this.  

“I have signed up for Trek China with my friend, Gayatri, who is the one I walk with every Saturday. We are training together. The London Bridges Walk will be part of our training! Other than that we still get out every Saturday. We are blessed with beautiful countryside all around us so we just pick a hill or a woodland and off we go! We choose hills and places with undulating ground so we can prepare for the conditions. We’re also just focusing on keeping ourselves fit and well and looking forward to what the challenge has in store for us.”