Group complete Trek72 - walking from Middleton to Blackpool - for local charities

A team of individuals of all ages and health levels have recently completed a massive 72km walk in aid of local charities Springhill Hospice and Neil’s Appeal.

Led by 35-year-old sprinkler fitter Andrew Ormrod, the team of ten walked from Middleton to Blackpool on Saturday 3 April as part of the charity campaign Trek72.

Originally scheduled for 27 February, the 44.7-mile challenge was delayed due to national lockdown restrictions on travelling and groups.

Andrew’s sister and co-organiser Kerry Ormrod, who was one of the ten participants ‘living, eating and breathing’ the charity event which aimed to raise £5,000, said: “We started with ten walkers and seven fully completed the 72km.

“We hit £8,000 in donations and we are all overwhelmed by the support.”

 

 

Neil’s Appeal – one of the charities to benefit - was launched in 2017 by Neil Taylor and wife, Alex, to raise money for brain tumour research after Neil was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Andrew, who is a friend of Neil’s, said: “The importance of this is that we need more understanding and awareness, it’s not just the financial side of things. Brain cancer research receives very little funding.

“We hope the money raised will help the surgeons so we can hopefully help people get better treatment and maybe cure it.”

After undergoing gruelling cancer treatment, 36-year-old Neil Taylor celebrated the arrival of a baby boy at the start of 2021.
 

Read more: Middleton dad living with brain tumour welcomes lockdown babyPublished: 13 January 2021

As well as Andrew and Kerry, other walkers included Sarah Ormrod, Jacob Smith, Michael Atkin, Lesley Lunt, Carla Matthews, Steven Goodier, Ryan Worsley and Richard Bradley.

Support drivers were also on hand ‘who helped massively’ driving snacks and refreshments from checkpoint to checkpoint. Drivers on the day were Paul Lunt, Russell Heyes, Tracy Richards, Gary Richards, Laura Tonge and Ian Poole.

Neil Taylor from Neil’s Appeal said: "We are overwhelmed with the support of everyone at Trek72 and blessed to have been chosen to have our fundraising group represented."

The other charity to benefit is close to the participants hearts, as Andrew’s grandma was cared for at Springhill Hospice 12 years ago.

Barbara Lloyd, Community Fundraiser at Springhill Hospice, said: "Congratulations to Andy and the Trek72 Team. They took on a challenging and truly epic trek for two fantastic causes. Their determination and commitment has been wonderful to follow. They have raised an incredible amount of money for Springhill which will help provide specialist hospice care for patients and their families across the borough."

The charities will each receive around £3,800 (after JustGiving fees), which the Trek72 walkers hope to present on Saturday 24 April.

Two Trek72 shirts will also be framed and presented to the charities.