Community charity raise thousands on sponsored walk from Preston to Liverpool

In pouring rain and strong winds, the 4-strong team from the Preston Here for Humanity project walked 32 miles from the Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital on November 1.

Setting off at 5am from the hospital on Sharoe Green Lane, the group arrived at Alder Hey 12 hours later, at 5pm, and celebrated with a glass of champagne.

Their aim was to raise around £1,200 that was to be split between the Rosemere Cancer Foundation and the family of Blackburn toddler called Carson Adams, who was born with holes in his heart and his heart on the wrong of side of his body.

However after the final count, it was revealed they had raised £5,140 as a collective.

Group director Chris Murray opted to donate to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation because his cousin his currently undergoing life-saving treatment at Royal Preston Hospital.

The foundation brings cancer treatments and services to patients throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria who are treated at the Rosemere cancer centre.

After completing the walk, he said: "It's a fantastic total. We are so pleased to be able to give Rosemere Cancer Foundation £2,570 and the same to Carson's family.

"We are immensely grateful to all the businesses and everyone who supported us so generously. It was a privilege to have been part of the walk team.

"The highlight was meeting up with Carson's parents. Amylee and Chris, at Alder Hey, where we shared a glass of champagne with them."

Little tot Carson, from Lancashire, has been a patient at Alder Hey since July, when he was admitted for his third major heart operation. He is currently in an induced coma after suffering a number of post-surgery setbacks including sepsis.

The Preston Here for Humanity walkers, who run a food bank and provide hot meals to vulnerable members of society, also provide free holiday lunches for children who would normally receive a free school dinner and offer a meal drop-off service for elderly shielders.

They were accompanied on their walk by an event support vehicle and two banners bearing the names of 12 local companies that had each paid £100 to have their names and logos printed on to the banners.

When they arrived at Alder Hey, team members were collected and driven back to Preston by a fleet of cars provided for free by Millers Taxis.

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