Fund-raisers to trek from Old Trafford to Blackpool

The fund-raisers will walk 48 miles from Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium to raise cash for the Blue Skies Hospitals Fund.

They will set out from Manchester on July 1 and hope to reach Claremont Conservative Club, Blackpool, within 18 hours.

The event is the brainchild of Blue Skies Ambassador Eddie Ashton, who has planned events for several years in aid of Blue Skies, which supports Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: “We just want to raise as much money as we possibly can for the patients of our local hospital Trust.

“I wanted to come up with something that would be a real challenge for those taking part, and something which would get as much sponsorship as possible.

“This really is a challenge, but I think there will be a lot of people who can do it.

“We’ve already got people signed up and ready to go.”

Eddie, who is a Manchester United fan, said many of the members of the Claremont Conservative Club were signed up to take part, and were looking forward to it.

He aims to raise between £3,000 and £5,000 to help enhance patient care.

The walkers’ fund-raising efforts will be further boosted thanks to a charity night at the Claremont Conservative Club in July which will feature music by local band Borders of Dawn, who play covers from the 1960s onwards.

Eddie added: “We’ve got a lot planned.

“We’re just trying to do as much as we can for our local hospital charity.”

If you want to take part in the Blue Skies Great Charity Marathon Walk,contact Eddie on 07523 287568 or Jim Hobson on (01253) 354009 for registration information.

Borders of Dawn will play at the club on Westminster Road, Blackpool on Saturday July 15. 
Doors open at 8.30pm.