'Honoured to walk' - Leyland Town Team to trek equivalent of four marathons for Derian House
“Even though there will be pain and discomfort, it is nothing compared to what the children, young people and families supported by Derian House go through.”
Gretna Green might be famous for runaway weddings, but there will be no white dresses – just green charity T-shirts – as the Leyland Town Team journey from Scotland to Leyland in aid of Derian House Children’s Hospice.
It will see five of the Town Team – Martin Carlin, Angie and Nick Greenwood, Jon Lee Herbert and Jack Godwin – trek 109 miles over three days, starting on Thursday, June 11, and ending with a celebration at The Market Ale House in Leyland.
There’s nothing romantic about this challenge, but it is full of heart, as the group will walk the equivalent of more than four marathons back-to-back in what will be their most ambitious fundraising effort yet.
The Leyland Town Team, who work together to improve Leyland and bring the community closer together, were already aware of the hospice and its work within the local community, were inspired to support Derian House after visiting and seeing first-hand the care provided to children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families across the North West.
For the final stretch, the walkers will swap into fancy dress inspired by ideas from the children and young people at Derian House, with the public to decide the final look on social media – with options from the Spice Girls and The Beatles, to film characters of Willy Wonka and St Trinian’s.
“I’ve been aware of the amazing work Derian House does for years,” said Angie Greenwood, Leyland Town Team Director. “So as we decided to walk for a local charity, this was top of the list. After having the privilege of a tour, it cemented that I was honoured to walk for this fantastic cause.”
She added: “This walk makes me nervous – it’s the longest we’ve done, adding almost 20 extra miles to last year’s route. The terrain will be a challenge, and the distances each day will require me to dig deeper than ever before. But even though there will be pain and discomfort, it is nothing compared to what the children, young people and families supported by Derian House go through.”
“It’s a truly great honour to choose Derian House as our charity this year,” said Martin Carlin, Leyland Town Team Director. “Every mile will hurt, but we know it’s all for a cause that makes a real difference.”
“Recently, we were lucky enough to be shown around Derian House, and seeing first-hand the incredible work they do was truly inspiring,” said Jon Lee Herbert, of Pure Audio Visual Ltd and member of the Leyland Town Team. “The care, support and kindness the staff provide to children and their families is amazing, and it really opened my eyes to how important their work is.
“This walk isn’t just about the miles, the blisters or the exhaustion. It’s about doing something meaningful for a cause that makes such a huge difference. 109 miles will be tough both physically and mentally, but it’s nothing compared to the challenges faced every day by the families supported by Derian House. Knowing that this challenge can help raise money and awareness will keep me going every step of the way.”
Get behind the team
The team are now encouraging the local community to get behind them – whether by donating or cheering them on as they post updates throughout their journey from Gretna Green to Leyland over the three days.
Support the Leyland Town Team’s challenge by making a donation: https://gofund.me/0d3acbbfc
Keep up to date with the team’s efforts on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/leylandtownteam
Ann-Marie Fishwick, Community Fundraiser at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to the Leyland Town Team for taking on this incredible challenge for their local children’s hospice. Derian House is just down the road from Leyland, so the support from the community really means the world to us. It helps us continue to provide care, comfort and special moments for children and families when they need it most.
“While care is free for families, it will cost £6million to run services at the hospice in 2026. The charity only receives around 30 per cent of government funding, meaning it relies on kind-hearted supporters – just like the lovely people of Leyland Town Team - to raise 70p in every £1.”
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West, helping them to make the most of every moment. Find out more: www.derianhouse.co.uk