Ted Mitchell: Extraordinary 80-year-old walked 96 miles for North West Air Ambulance Service

Ted Mitchell

Ted Mitchell may have turned 80 last week, but that didn’t stop him from getting his walking shoes on and embarking on a huge 96 mile trek for a good cause.

In his first ever fundraising mission, Ted decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland - raising £500 for the North West Air Ambulance Service, which he says do such a great job that it deserves every penny.

Ted said that when his friend collapsed at Rochdale Golf Club, the air ambulance came promptly and did such a great job that he decided to give a little something back.

The gruelling 96 mile trek lasted just one week with some stretches as long as 12 and 14 miles, but the 80-year-old showed no signs of giving up.

Ted arrived back home on Wednesday (6 April) having completed the walk and was happy to collect even more cash donations.

Proud wife Joyce Mitchell said: “He’s never done any fundraising before; this was one of those one off events that nobody was really expecting. He has done so well, 96 miles is of course not a small walk and he seemed to do it with ease.

"He goes to the gym twice a week which helps keep him fit, but as an 80-year-old man he has done very well and we are proud of him.”

Linda De Sa, Challenge Events Officer at the North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are extremely thankful to Ted for taking on this challenge in support of our charity.

"As a service completely reliant on donations, we would not be here without our community of fundraisers. It’s efforts like these that help to keep our three helicopters operational and saving lives.”