IN recognition of the valuable work of Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital and PHA in supporting Paul, we are embarking on our 4th charity walk over the Peaks between Sheffield and Stoke, to raise money for Charity and Hospital, where Paul continues to be treated. Covering 55-miles dressed as nurses … in 17-hours.

Paul, aged 39,  has pulmonary hypertension (PH) – a serious condition affecting the heart and lungs. Paul, ordinarily a fit lad and well-respected goalkeeper, was diagnosed with PH in September 2015 and is hoping the challenge will help raise awareness of the little-known condition, which affects just 7,000 people in the UK. Average life expectancy after diagnosis is less than 10-years, with no known cure. The money raised will go to supporting valuable research.  

 Similar to September, as lifelong Stoke City fans, we're doing the walk from the two football grounds of Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday, arriving for the game between the two clubs.We’re massively thankful that ex-Stoke City and Republic of Ireland legend, Liam Lawrence, is coming along for the walk to put us through our paces! We plan to leave the pitch at Hillsborough (home of Sheff Wednesday) on the evening of 29th March, arriving on the pitch in time for kick off on 30th March at Stoke City’s BET365 Stadium, via a quick trip to meet with the real nurses and medical staff at the Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital.

Also great that two Owls fans are joining us. Matt Armstrong, whose Mum as PH, and his mate Matt Carr.

 We did the walk from Stoke to Sheffield for the game in September and were genuinely completely overwhelmed by the interest from local media,  support from both clubs and cheers from both sets of fans; hence the return leg!

 Chairman of PHA, Iain Armstrong added: “We’re very grateful to Mark and his friends for taking on this challenge and we wish them the best of luck. It’s vitally important that more people understand what life is like for people with pulmonary hypertension and events like this really help to get conversations going.”

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA UK) is the only charity in the UK especially for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH). They are committed to helping improve the lives of people with PH and fund research into PH, raising awareness of the condition, and helping people in their day-to-day lives (www.phassociation.uk.com). Donations collected on the day will also be made to the Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital who continue provide Paul and others with excellent specialist pulmonary care.