Whiteley villager walking from London to Manchester
8:00am Sunday 16th September 2012 in News By Lauren O'Brien
A man from Whiteley Village will walk from London to Manchester to raise £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.
William Poole, 70, was inspired to walk the 200 mile to raise funds after his brother Ken, 72, got Alzheimer’s and was put into a home in Manchester.
Mr Poole will make 60-hour walk alone from October 27 and has raised nearly a quarter of the funds already.
The eldest of his three daughters, Marie Poole said: “He can do something that not many people would do. For a 70-year-old man to walk from London to Manchester it will be a massive challenge, but my dad’s a very capable and independent man. I really look up to him and admire him, he’s a genuinely nice person.”
Mr Poole has previously participated in a charity walk and walks his two dogs at home.
He said: “I did sacrifice my holiday to pay £400 for bed and breakfasts as the walk should take approximately five days and six nights.”
Though he has got the route entirely mapped out, the only challenge he anticipates is the weather.
The family is appealing for donations and support.
About 800,000 people in the UK have dementia, mainly affecting people over the age of 65, but currently affecting 17,000 people under the age of 65.
Marie has challenged 1,000 people to give £1 to help her father. Donations can be made through online charity justgiving.com.
