My name is Steve Parkin and I am currently the Assistant Manager at Bolton Wanderers FC and previously worked at Bradford City AFC.

During my time at both clubs I have had the pleasure of working with Stephen Darby. Sadly, in Late 2018 Stephen was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, obviously everybody in football has been rocked by this news but more importantly Stephen’s wife Steph and his lovely family are devasted, but in true Stephen Darby spirit did he feel sorry for himself? NO, he immediately started the process of setting up a foundation to raise money to try and help others who live with and fight this terrible disease.

Stephen is one of the most determined and dedicated professionals I have ever worked with, his drive at Bradford helped us bring unparalleled success in a cup final, promotion and FA cup run to the quarter finals beating Chelsea along the way, his will to win was a pivotal part of this amazing story, off the field you could not wish to meet a better human being and such an inspiration to us all.

So here is where everybody who knows Stephen myself and my friends can help…… We would like to get Stephen’s Foundation off to a great start with a Charity Cycle Ride the width of England.

My friends at the Sherwood Ranger pub decided it would be a great idea to do the ‘Coast to Coast’ – Workington to Tynemouth, 136 miles take or leave a wrong turn on the 17th, 18th & 19th of May 2019. Being in our 50’s we feel it’s a real challenge because none of us are keen cyclists but if we show the Stephen Darby spirit, we will get over the finishing line.

So, myself, Phil Parkinson, Kev Hunter, Paul Bailey, Ross Murdoch, Tony Morris, Tim Breaker (Luton, West Ham, QPR), Chris Caulton, Dave Cutts and Paul Barnett supported by Paul O’Neil and Paul Gibson on logistics are going to being doing just that.

For everybody who knows us could you PLEASE give generously for Stephen’s Foundation, everybody from Football and beyond can really help and support us get up those hills.

Finally, the last leg takes us into Tynemouth and Stevie will be joining us to the finish line, feel free to cheer us on we will probably need it.

Kind regards and many thanks.

STEVE PARKIN

When you have donated please leave a message for Stephen and the gang it will be much appreciated.