Following his heroic efforts at the Bath Half Marathon earlier this year, CRY Patron and former England International rugby star, Simon Halliday, adopted a rather more sedate pace for his latest fundraising endeavour.
Simon joined CRY President Ian Botham on one leg of his ‘Botham Walk 2006’.
Ian Botham has been undertaking a series of walks through 17 UK cities in 9 days, to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Travel between the cities was via a helicopter, donated for this event.
Ian invited CRY to join him for one of the city-walks, and so Simon donned a CRY Heart costume and accompanied Ian through Oxford on the 16th of October.
Oxford holds a special place in Simon’s heart, as it is where he went to university.
As a student, Simon played rugby for Oxford University, before going on to play for Bath and England – winning two Grand Slams and playing in the 1991 World Cup Final against Australia.
Simon hopes to have raised awareness and money for CRY on the 10-mile walk.
The walk began and ended at the Marks and Spencers store on Cornmarket Street; and Simon and Ian were also joined by Stuart Rose (Chief Executive of Marks and Spencers) and other personalities.
Speaking before the walk, Simon said, “Compared to running around the City of Bath for 13 miles on behalf of CRY earlier in the year, I hope this will be a little easier on the legs. Oxford is of course my favourite city, having spent 4 great years there.”
Simon models the stylish CRY heart costume
Simon in his playing days at Oxford University
“Ian Botham is the President of CRY, and I feel very privileged to be accompanying such a sporting legend and for the great cause that CRY represents.”
“This is all part of raising awareness of an entirely preventable condition. I aspire to a situation in this country where every young person has received cardiac screening, and I will do as much as I can to make this be the case.”
“Its great to have the CEO of Marks and Spencer, Stuart Rose, walking with us. Apparently he is providing the sandwiches and mini flapjacks so we won’t go hungry on the walk.
“Finally, I appeal to everyone for any help they can give in support of this charity.”