Latest news with #charitywalk
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Redditch man walking more than 1,200 miles for MND awareness
A man is spending his summer walking more than 1,200 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Courts is taking on the challenge - which he hopes will raise awareness of the illness - in memory of his grandfather, who died from MND last Redditch resident spoke to BBC Hereford and Worcester on Monday - the first anniversary of the death of rugby league legend and MND campaigner Rob Burrow, Courts, who has made it to Gloucester on his journey, said: "It's been tough, I've had a few blisters and knee pains, but I've had a lot of support so far and friends and family have been able to come and join in." The challenge will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Birmingham City Football Club Courts said he had set aside 11 weeks for the walk, but planned to complete it in about 60 far, he has raised £2,445 towards his £5,000 fundraising page described how at the age of 11, he completed a charity walk with his he lost his relative, he decided he wanted to honour his memory by undertaking another route ahead will take him through the Peak District and Sheffield before he hikes the Pennine Way through the north of England. In Scotland, he will head north of Glasgow before hiking to Fort William to tackle Ben Nevis. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Thousands set to walk for Guernsey breast cancer charity
Thousands of islanders are set to walk across Guernsey next month, to mark 10 years of a breast cancer charity's sunset walks. The Pink Ladies said it hoped 2,000 people would attend its event on 28 June to raise awareness and support those who had been affected by breast said the walk, which happens every two years, first launched in 2007 and typically attracted about 1,500 islanders, all dressed in charity's chair, Naomi Leach, said: "As the Pink Ladies Guernsey approaches its 25th year, we are so looking forward to celebrating with friends and supporters of the charity... which is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate life and living." 'Life turned upside down' The event will be a first for Gemma Ainger, who was 42 when she diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage three breast cancer."Last year my life was turned upside down," she said."The hardest part of all that's happened to me is moving on from the fact that if I'd been paying attention to my body, its highly likely I would have caught my breast cancer earlier."I'll be walking the 10th sunset walk, a year after I discovered a lump, with so many of my biggest supporters, and I can't wait, it's going to be very emotional for me, that's for sure." Fran Torode has taken part in the sunset walk since it launched in 2007."I take part every year because it's fun and supports a great cause; seeing the ribbon of pink clad walkers along the coast is an awe-inspiring sight," she charity said the full 13 mile (21km) route would start at Grandes Rocques at 17:30 BST, while the shorter three mile (4.8km) walk would begin at Bordeaux at 18: said warm-up sessions would be held at each starting point with a big pink party at Market Square until 23:00.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman walked from Blackpool to Bury via Bolton for heartwarming reason
A woman who walked for more than 14 hours from Blackpool to Bury says it was 'one of the hardest things she's ever done.' Jacqui McCarthy, 54, from Bury undertook the gruelling challenge along with 12 of her friends and family members to raise funds for Bury Hospice after her dad Derek died from bowel cancer. Starting at Little Marton Windmill at 6.30am on May 17, the group walked almost 40 miles through Preston, Blackburn and Bolton before making the final journey to Ainsworth. Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. Jacqui said: 'It was one of hardest things I've ever done, but we did it. 'We had plenty to chat about on the way and everyone got on well, encouraging each other all the way. 'The weather was scorching and we stopped for ice cream at a little place in Belmont where we got taking to a couple of ramblers who wished us luck. 'The last few miles were especially tough going over some steep hills in Bolton. We each totalled more than 91,000 steps and it was a lovely atmosphere.' They were greeted by cheers from friends and punters when they reached their final destination at the Black Bull pub on Ainsworth Road. Jacqui is no stranger to fundraising, having previously hosted a charity football match and embarking on a sky dive. Jacqui McCarthy and friends walked from Blackpool to Bury (Image: supplied) Derek McCarthy (Image: supplied)READ NEXT: 'They saved my life': Meet the woman undertaking gruelling 5 day trek to help others READ NEXT: Football club youngsters raised thousands for cancer charity She hoping that the team can raise £2,500 for Bury Hospice in memory of her late dad, with the donations yet to be counted. Derek McCarthy from Bury died aged 77 in May last year after being diagnosed with bowl cancer two years earlier. Jacqui continued: 'It was a long hard battle and he fought all the way. ''Home' was his favourite four-letter word and if he hadn't have died at home, he would have gone into Bury Hospice. 'The staff at Fairfield Hospital were amazing with my dad and our family in facilitating him coming home for his final day. 'I wish there was more help for cancer patients out there but every penny we can raise goes to a very good cause.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lake District charity walking challenge for former York Sheriff's Lady
A former Sheriff's Lady is set to walk 26 miles to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. Danielle Mason will walk the distance around Ullswater, in the Lake District, this Saturday (May 31). Her father Mark will join her for the feat, known as 'Trek26,' and the pair hope to raise £1,000 for the charity. The grandmother of Danielle, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago, is serving as inspiration for the challenge. Danielle, who was part of York's civic party in 2021, said: "It has been heartbreaking to see my nana slowly deteriorate. Danielle (centre) outside Mansion House in York with the city's swordbearer and sergeant-at-mace (Image: Supplied) "Medication has slowed down the process but now she struggles to keep conversation and remember what she has been doing. "It has had a huge impact on her husband, who is her main carer. "I want to raise money to help others in the future to get better support, and to help raise the profile of this important charity helping to support research into new treatments." Donations to Danielle's cause can be made at
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Walkers raise £8,000 hiking around Beachy Head lighthouse
Around £8,000 has been raised by 1,000 people who took part in a challenge to walk around a lighthouse in East Sussex at low annual Beachy Head Lighthouse Challenge, which took place on Sunday, involved walkers setting off and returning to Holywell on Eastbourne seafront. The two-hour round trip walk, which is organised by Eastbourne AM Rotary Club, is only possible on certain days of the year due to tide times. The event attracts participants from all over the UK and beyond, with one couple flying in for it from the United States. Organiser Martin Wellings said: "It was another amazing day. "The weather was perfect and we were delighted at the high turnout once again."It really is a unique event which appeals to so many, both local and much further away."Profits go to local charities, while part of the funds raised are set aside towards the next re-paint of the lighthouse. The red and white stripes of Beachy Head lighthouse were repainted in 2013 after a £27,000 fundraising Trinity House had announced in 2011 that it could no longer afford to repaint the distinctive red and white stripes. That sparked a public campaign for the repainting and the first Beachy Head Lighthouse Challenge took place that year.
