A FRIEND of the late, great Ricky Hatton is honouring his memory by walking to raise funds and awareness of a men’s mental health charity.
Scott Lee will plod the equivalent of four marathons in four days in aid of Andy’s Man Club.
And his connection with Hyde hero Ricky, believed to have taken his own life on September 14, made it an easy choice to get out and do something.
Even though his feet are ‘completely blistered’ after the first two treks, around Dove Stone Reservoir and Cheshire’s Middlewood Way, it has been worth it.
Scott, who used to cut the former boxer’s hair at Good Ol’ Boys in Gee Cross, said: “I’d been Ricky’s barber for almost 10 years and was a close friend of his.
“So the cause is so close to my heart. I was fortunate enough to call him a friend, so when this happened – and there were three suicides in the space of a couple of months – I had to do something.
“I saw Ricky on the Thursday and he died on the Saturday, so that’s just driven me on to do this and I know he was a supporter of Andy’s Man Club.
“I’ve been a big advocate for mental health for many years. I suffered myself for over 20 years with a serious mental illness and I’m really trying to drive home the message.
“It’s good to talk, but we need to do more of talking – I’ve been banging the drum for ages. It’s brilliant to talk but talking’s not enough.
“And even though my feet are hurting, that’s nothing compared to the pain of losing someone through suicide.
“A little bit of pain I go through is nothing compared to why I’m doing this. Nobody’s ever died of a blister, but somebody dies every day from taking their own life.”
Mr Lee, 47 and of Gee Cross, will finish his trek on November 29 and 30, repeating the Middlewood Way but doing the Longdendale Trail.
He experienced just about everything the weather gods could throw at him as he completed the first stages of his challenge.
And if more comes as he completes it, he will just keep on walking.
He added: “I’m not really bothered. Whatever it can throw at me, it can throw at me. I don’t really care.
“I think half of me was swimming on the first walk. My feet are in bits because for eight and a half hours, they were just submerged in water.
“But I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends and family.
“It’s been amazing, the support’s been amazing. After, I couldn’t ask for more help. I’m overwhelmed by it all.”
*YOU CAN donate to Scott’s fundraising efforts by clicking www.gofundme.com/f/twdyh4-4-marathons-in-4-days.