David Pountney
Forest Green Walk
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Story
Well we did it!
Forty nine people of varying ages and fitness levels left Aggborough Stadium and nearly all made it to Forest Green Rovers after walking over 65 miles in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. We walked in memory of former KHIST founder Steve Millington who sadly passed away in November and it was testament to him that so many people gave up so much time and put in so much effort to complete the walk.
A small number walked over three and four days but the vast majority set off from Aggborough at 6.15am on Monday 7th April in wet conditions. Our party, split into three groups, headed towards Stourport before meeting the River Severn and travelling south towards Worcester along the muddy riverbank. Our media man Karl Davies continued his relentless assault on local media outlets which resulted in 6 of us appearing in the BBC Hereford and Worcester Studio’s. I wonder if they’ve got rid of the mud yet?
Anyway we continued south through Kempsey where conditions were very difficult but spirits remained high with a stop planned at KHFC supporter Pete Fryer’s pub in Severn Stoke. After being fed and watered we continued south with a number struggling having walked nearly 30 miles. However this is where our spirit kicked in and a very tired group of walkers landed at Tewkesbury around 8pm after over 12 hours of walking and 36 plus miles.
With blisters and injuries prevalent we were grateful to KHFC physio Gavin Crowe who appeared at our Travelodge and worked miracles till the early hours. We’ve since learned that our support drivers, who were excellent, didn’t expect a large number of our group to walk on day two but to a man (and women) everyone made it down to breakfast at 6am.
We were soon on our way towards Gloucester with media man Karl Davies again auditioning for his own talk show whilst everyone struggled to keep in the same town as him! We reached Gloucester docks having walked 50 miles and a number were really struggling now but you could just tell that we’d built up such a group spirit that no-one wanted to stop.
As we approached Stroud everyone knew we were on the final stretch and we all gathered at a pub at the bottom of that hill in Nailsworth ready for the climb. As the different walking groups appeared at the pub they were met by a round of applause. One of the final walkers to appear was former KHFC player and legend Mick Tuohy who gave a wonderful speech, what a man!
We were greeted at the top of the hill by family & friends to much relief that we had arrived and could finally have a shower and sit down. What an achievement.
Over the two days we received so much support and help it was truly overwhelming. You know who you are! Events like this prove what great supporters Kidderminster Harriers have and to date we have raised over £30,000. A huge thankyou to all those that have donated or supported us in anyway. This money will make a difference to people affected by cancer.
However it is not too late to support us if you can.
Our walkers were- Dave Pountney, Richard Millington, Karl Davies, John Davies, Andy Woodward, Mick Tuohy, Steve Allman, Andrew Coffield, Laura & Matt Jackson, Dave Ackerley, John & Gloria Wagstaff, Keith Chandler, Mark Young, Martin & Sarah and Pete Lewis, Simon Jarosinski, Dave Goode, Tom Duffield, Ian Danby, Chris Price, Claire Rutland, Ed Dursley, John Wenham, Michael Danby, Steve & Rebecca Thomas, Glyn Lloyd, Ben Grazier, Stuart Walstrom, Shane Collier, Chris Lacey, James Young, Mike Peplow, Ollie Sewell, Scott Jones, Charlotte Paddock, Richard Dredge, Ian Dredge, Mike Cooper, Andrew & Susan Foster, Dan Shorthouse, Amy Latchford, Matt Jones, Annalisa De Vergori and Lorna Kemp.