Joshua McCormack’s uncle raises over £500 for charity in youngster’s memory after gruelling 130-mile walk

Jonathan Duncalf and Nicola McCormack at the Ramsbottom ground

Joshua McCormack’s uncle has raised over £500 for charity in memory of his nephew after a gruelling 130-mile walk in just five days.

Jonathan Duncalf, who hopes to raise around £750, embarked on a five day walk around all of Greater Manchester’s football grounds in the top 10 levels of the league pyramid, before continuing from Rochdale to Bradford, to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House and Derian House, two charities which helped the family through Josh’s battle with a brain tumour.

Nicknamed ‘Whitworth’s Superhero,’ five-year-old Josh touched the hearts of many, with thousands of people following his courageous fight. Sadly, he lost his long battle with cancer in January 2017, then the only child of his parents, Kevin and Nicola McCormack.

The McCormacks have since had a second child, Josh’s longed-for sibling, named Zachary Joshua, in honour of his brave big brother.

Mr Duncalf said: “When I first conceived the idea, I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I totally underestimated just how hard it would be. In my mind I would be walking around the streets of Greater Manchester on a nice, but long, walk. The reality was somewhat different.

“The first two days were particularly gruelling, taking me through Tameside, which does involve walking up hill and down dale. The length of day two was the main obstacle to overcome, and day three from Atherton to Wigan and back to Bolton was hard, due to long stretches of road that seemed to never end.”

Starting out on 16 October, Mr Duncalf visited the grounds of more than 35 Greater Manchester teams before trekking from Rochdale to Bradford, covering 31 and 34 miles on the first two days respectively.

He continued: “After those, the last two days were somewhat of a breeze. As I have said to several people, nothing is easy, and to raise money for these two worthwhile causes was the only spur I needed to carry on.

“To all the people that have donated, and for anybody that is intending to, I would like to say a massive thank you, as your donations will be put to good use by both these organisations.”

The grounds Mr Duncalf visited were: Altrincham, Wythenshawe Town, Wythenshawe Amateurs, Cheadle Town, Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads, Stockport County, Stockport Town, Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic, Mossley, Ashton United, Curzon Ashton, Droylsden, Abbey Hey, Maine Road, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Trafford, Irlam, Manchester United, Salford City, Manchester City, FC United of Manchester, Avro, Chadderton, Oldham Athletic, Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Atherton Collieries, Daisy Hill, Ashton Town, Ashton Athletic, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, Prestwich Heys, Radcliffe Borough, Ramsbottom United and Bury FC.

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jonathan-duncalf?utm_term=DJnzad3eY