Sponsored walk in memory of Ben Fitchett

Ben Fitchett

Over 100 people will be taking part in a sponsored walk in memory of teenager Ben Fitchett, who died in August as well as raising money for charity.

The walk, which takes place on Sunday 20 October, will raise money for the Papyrus Charity, a charity aimed at preventing teenage suicides.

Ben from Balderstone, Rochdale died after falling from a bridge over the M62.

Peter Jay, event co-organiser and leader of Crompton and Royton District Scout group where Ben was an explorer, said: “The walk was intended to be just for the Scouts and Explorers but it became a bit of a monster and now we have closed the entries at 19 teams with 110 people walking.”

Three routes are planned for the walk: a 20 mile route and a 10 mile route starting and finishing at the North Star High Crompton and a 5 mile route starting at the Wine Press at Hollingworth Lake.

During the walk, there will also be checkpoints at the Free Trade Tavern in Milnrow and the White House on the A58 near Blackstone Edge.

Checkpoints will be operated by volunteers from Scouts from Greater Manchester North County and supported by volunteers from St Mary’s Church High Crompton.

After the walk has been completed, various fundraising events will be taking place at The North Star including face painting, a cake sale and raffle.

In memory of Ben, balloons will be released at approximately 5pm after the reading of a poem that one of Ben’s friends has written (and was read at his funeral). A minutes silence will also take place.

“The amount of support for this event has been overwhelming especially from the North Star, Scouts and the people of St Mary’s high Crompton. Over £1100 has already been donated to the Shaw Hope Walk just giving page with a similar amount being donated on sponsor forms” said Peter.

For anyone wishing to donate money, you can visit:

www.justgiving.com/shaw-hopewalk