They set
off from the Cross
Keys Pub,
Hammersmith, in
heavy rain, just
before
8am and continued
along the South bank
of the Thames to
Kingston, stopping
off for lunch at the
White Hart Pub in
Kingston, where they
were met by their
friend and CRY
supporter,
Nick Bond. Martin's
daughter,
Nicky, and partner
Colm, joined them in
Twickenham for the
final 10 miles of
their walk.
They attracted
attention from
several passers-by,
including a CRY
supporter from
Twickenham, wearing
their eye-catching
CRY T-shirts and
sweatshirts,
and with CRY
balloons tied onto
their rucksacks.
They distributed CRY
leaflets to
anyone who had a
young family.
On the return leg of
their walk, they
stopped for their
first pint at the
Bell and Crown,
Strand on the Green,
where they were met
and encouraged by
more friends, Jerome
and Janie.
They reached the
Cross Keys Pub just
before 5pm for
another well earned
pint.
It was one of
Martin’s ambitions
to run the London
Marathon but having
had four hip
replacements, he has
never been able to
able to achieve
this. This
walk was his
opportunity to
fulfill his
ambition, albeit at
a more leisurely
pace.
Martin and Billy
said
"The last 5 miles
were the hardest,
but it gave us a
real sense of
achievement!"
Although the purpose
of the walk was to
raise
awareness, Martin
and Billy also
managed to raise
£1292.00 from friends,
family and regulars
at the Cross Keys.