TWO intrepid friends will be walking 130 miles in just 56 hours to raise money for the RUH Bath Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Dale Weeks and Rich Marshall, who both live near Frome, will leave Bradford-on-Avon on the evening of 29th September and hope to reach Tower Bridge in London by the early hours of Saturday 2nd October.
Averaging 65 miles a day, the dedicated duo will walk along the canal tow paths, stopping only once to sleep, and have spent the past few weeks gradually increasing their daily walking distances in their spare time.
The two friends are part of a group who are all banding together to fundraise for the Beau Roffey Tribute Fund set up in memory of Beau Bear who was born in November 2020 but who tragically died two days later.
Beau’s parents, Kat and Paul Roffey, who are Frome business owners, have asked that the money raised be used to buy a specialist piece of equipment for the hospital which is used to screen tiny babies’ eyes.
They are also fundraising for a defibrillator for the gym they run and any extra money will go direct to Bath NICU for the hospital to spend how they wish. They’d like to reach a total of £10,000 and Dale and Rich’s walk is just one of several challenges taking place. Members of the gym – Affinity in Frome – are also taking part in a 24 hour non-stop fitness challenge, and members’ children have been running, walking and cycling all to raise money for Beau.
Dale said of the task ahead, “We wanted to honour Beau Bear in some way and this challenge has been inspired by the bravery, fortitude and strength of his parents following his sad death. Paul and Kat give so much to the community that we wanted to give something back.”
Rich added, “This walk will test our resolve – and our feet – but we are determined to reach London and help to raise £10,000.”
You can donate to the tribute fund at: www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/beaubear
