An elderly man showed his appreciation to the NHS for helping elongate his twin sister’s life after she contracted Covid-19, by walking over 1,000 miles.
Peter Murray, 86, who is retired and living in Walthamstow, began his fundraising campaign to support Whipps Cross Hospital after his twin sister received life changing care there.
His sister Madge suffered from two heart attacks five years ago, and returned to Whipps Cross in February this year after facing issues with her chest.
It was there where she contracted Covid-19 and was told she would not survive, but in April she was released from hospital after recovering from the virus, before shortly passing away.
“I wanted to do something nice for the hospital after the kind care that my twin sister received during her time there,” Mr Murray recalled as the fundraiser initially started as a celebration for the hospital saving his sister’s life.
He explained that when his sister died in July, it was due to multiple long-term health conditions.
Despite her death, Mr Murray wished to continue his fundraising and thanking the hospital for the extra months his sister had.
Peter Murray walked 1,000 miles (Photo: Alexandria Hall Photography)
The longest walks took place one day a week between East Dagenham and Blackhorse Road in Waltham Forest, where he covers 30 miles and walks for 10 hours there and back.
He also would walk throughout Walthamstow and spoke to people in the street to promote his campaign.
Now he has raised nearly £8,000 in his campaign.
Mr Murray moved to London from Ireland in 1950 and worked a job to earn 18 shillings a week until he could eventually buy a scooter to sell A-Z street maps from a box on the back of his bike.
He then bought a van and started importing and selling comics from America, his business grew and he eventually continued to sell paperbacks and magazines to 240 shops across north London up until 1995.
Now while in retirement, he is committed to spend his time in raising money for charity.
He next plans to walk 1,000 miles for North London Hospice, an institution that took care of a number of his other late sisters – as he is one of 15 siblings.
To support the 1,000 mile charity walk for Whipps Cross Hospital, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/1000-mile-walk-around-walthamstow
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel