Local Walkers Raise Over £2000 For Teenage Cancer Trust

Four local men have raised over £2000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust after walking 85 miles in four days and visiting three pubs along the way.

Ian Bolton, Mike Gillet, Phil Moses and Carl Gillyon set off on their adventure from the Woolpack Pub in Esholt going via the Woolpack in York before ending in at the Woolpack Pub, Beverley enjoying a couple of drinks on the way.

The men chose to support the Teenage Cancer Trust after their friend Ian came into contact with a young man called Liam Baldry.

Ian explained;

“I was working on a project for young people when I first met Liam. At that time, he had had two brain Tumours which he had manage to fight and over come. Unfortunately, he was to suffer a third one which took his life.”

“We worked with Liam for a number of years, and he used to tell us how he overcame his cancer, when he spoke to others about his experiences you could always hear a pin drop.”

“Although we were helping Liam, he was helping us teach too, as we taught adults how to deal with young people in a professional way. It is because of the impact Liam made with us is why we support this charity.”

Abigail Batchelor a fundraising manager for the charity said;

“It is just amazing what they have done, it is a really touching story as to why they wanted to support the Teenage Cancer Trust by raising money for us by completing this walk. ”

Liam was one of the many young people who received vital support from the Teenage Cancer Trust locally at Castle Hill Hospital.

Abigail added;

“We would not be able to do the things we do for the young people with cancer if people like Mike, and his friends did not go and do their walks or other fund-raising activities.”

“Teenagers are a forgotten tribe within the health system. They fall between the gap of children services and adult services.”

“Our charity tries to fill that void by creating environments within NHS Hospital wards so they can be teenagers first and a cancer patient second.”

Ian, Mike, Phil and Carl are already looking ahead to their next fundraiser. The group plan to walk the length of the Yorkshire Coast Line in May 2015.