Rochdale residents to walk coast-to-coast for charity

David Chambers (right) will be walking 192 miles across England in honour of his friend Tony Kennedy (left)

Two Rochdale residents are lacing up their walking boots to trek from coast-to-coast for the Mesothelioma UK Charitable Trust.

Queensway resident David Chambers, 78, and his fellow rambler David Patterson, 77, from Norden, will be completing the 192 mile-walk over 13 days in May.

Mr Chambers decided to take up the challenge as his close friend of 45 years, Tony Kennedy, 78, who lives in Moston, was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year. They became increasingly close in recent years as both are widowers. The cause is also close to Mr Chambers’ heart as his older brother, Ron, died from the disease in 2014.

Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

The coast-to-coast challenge is something Mr Chambers has always fancied attempting but has only recently plucked up the courage. Initially, he set out to raise a couple of hundred pounds ‘if he was lucky,’ however, he has already raised around £700.

The two Davids will set off on 8 May, walking the popular Wainwright path for 13 days.

Wainwright's route begins at St Bees in Cumbria, on the Irish Sea. It crosses the West Cumbrian coastal plain and the Lake District, and enters North Yorkshire as it crosses the Pennines. It then crosses the Yorkshire Dales, the Vale of York and the North York Moors to reach the North Sea coast at Robin Hood's Bay.

Mr Chambers’ stepson, Andrew Ross, said: “David being David, he has decided he wants to raise money for this cause. The biggest thing I’ve known him do that's even close is when he and I walked up Mt Snowdon three years ago for charity.

“This is 192 miles and young people struggle with this; he will be averaging around 20 miles a day. We’re hoping we can get him above the £1,000 mark.

“He's an absolute nut case, but I'm confident he can do it. I think what he's doing is astounding at his age. Myself and all David's family and friends are right behind him and we’re all extremely proud of what he is doing: he really has got a heart of gold.”

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrewross80