Hi

I’m Stephen Collins and when I was born with cerebral palsy the doctors told my parents I’d never walk.

Well, that was 64 years ago and since then I’ve done several fundraising walks to help charities such as Cancer Research UK after I lost my beloved dad, Walter, to the disease 24 years ago.

I walk with a frame and every step can be painful but I know that if I don’t use my legs I’m in danger of losing them so I may as well use them to help others.

This time I’m helping Huddersfield charity Ruddi’s Retreat which provides free caravan breaks for families with children battling serious illnesses such as cancer, have life-limiting conditions or have suffered bereavement. The charity has four caravans on the Primrose Valley Holiday Park at Filey and a fifth near Blackpool.

This will be my toughest challenge yet as the route is 7.5 miles but includes one of the steepest roads in Huddersfield, the infamous Lockwood Scar, and that’s saying something as Huddersfield is full of hills.

I’ll start in the village of Slaithwaite where Ruddi’s has a café and finish at Castle Hill, the town’s famous landmark perched right on top of a hill.

Oh, and I’ll be doing it on April 20, 2024 – the day before my 65th birthday.

So please encourage me to get on with my training by donating now so together we can all help Ruddi’s help more families at the toughest times in their lives.

Thank you.

Stephen