A GROUP from Stalybridge took on a fitting walk in memory of a beloved father, with every step helping to raise vital funds towards cancer research.
Stephen and Annette Rawson were joined by Stephen’s brother Paul Rawson and colleague John Turner to walk 70 miles.
They did so to remember Stephen and Paul’s father Peter, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May last year and died in October at the age of 69.
Together, the quartet have raised over £4,800 for North West Cancer Research – which funds research and education to tackle the cause, from its centre in Liverpool.
Peter, who was a Civil Engineer for Tameside Council, was instrumental in rerouting the Huddersfield Narrow Canal back through Stalybridge town centre and the regeneration of Ashton Market Hall following a fire in 2004.
To mark this achievement, the group took on the South Pennine Canal Ring – spanning five different canal networks and just over 70 miles over the course of two days, including an overnight stay in Hebden Bridge.
The route marked a significant beginning and end point in Stalybridge, alongside a section of the canal that Peter and his team restored over 20 years ago.
“He cared a great deal about his hometown of Stalybridge and, in retirement, he remained involved with the Canal Society and became Chairman of the Stalybridge Town Team, so it feels only fitting that we walked a route on the canal,” said Stephen.
“After a frantic start to our journey, the blisters started at around mile 28 and we really wondered if we would be able to continue through the pain the next day.
“We were spurred on by the fact that we were raising money for such a worthy cause, and thankfully we were joined by friends and colleagues almost every step of the way, which distracted us from the extreme pain in our feet!”
On behalf of the group, Stephen thanked everyone who joined them at various stages of the walk, including friends of theirs and of his dad.
“Without their encouragement and support, the experience would have been much less enjoyable and far more difficult,” he added.
“The sight of my dad’s colleagues waiting for us around seven miles from the end, clapping as we passed under a bridge, are far more fondly remembered.
“Our feet have since, thankfully, recovered and returned to normal. While the experience was painful and a huge challenge, it was nothing compared to the battle that people are going through everyday when suffering with cancer.”