Three North-East charities will benefit from the fundraising efforts of friends who are joining together to complete the 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall Path in just three days
Paul Milroy said: “This is going to be a challenge for us all but the camaraderie and beautiful countryside will help, along with the knowledge that we are raising awareness and hopefully some sponsorship for three great charities: the Brain Tumour Charity, WCDS Gateshead, and St Benedict’s Hospice.”
Paul and Louise Milroy will be joined by friends Nev Harris, Allison Harris, Matty Harris, Allison Carrahar, Jason Carrahar, Sam Scott and Karen Scott, all from Washington, and two back-up crew, Elane Ingram and Faye Forster.
The trekkers will head off from Bowness on Solway on the morning of 25 April and trek to Segudunum, aiming to finish by the 27th. The friends are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for their chosen charities.
Louise, 47, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and has been cancer free for five years after undergoing a mastectomy. She received a great deal of support from the Women’s Cancer Detection Society at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Gateshead.
The fundraisers will also be donating money to the Brain Tumour Charity in memory of their friend Paul Warris, who died in March last year after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and St Benedict’s Hospice, a renowned specialist centre for palliative care, where he died.
But the challenge won’t be easy. Paul Milroy, 49, a health and safety management consultant, has lost over three stone since last October in his bid to be fit for the trek and has another stone to lose before he reaches his target weight.
“I found myself driving in the car a lot for work and eating unhealthy food. The weight just crept on, so it seemed like a good time to get fit and healthy,” he said.
“I ran GNR in 2015 and 2016 for the same charity but wanted to raise the bar a bit, 84 miles in three days. This is going to be a challenge for us all, but the camaraderie and beautiful countryside will help.
“We’ve been preparing for it by going on longer walks and running up and down the steps at Penshaw Monument.
“We all wanted to give something back to these fantastic charities and to do something in memory of Paul as well.”
Donations can be made at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/hadrianswall2018

Rob Colgrave Community fundraiser for the North East said: “Thank you to Paul and his friends for taking on such a difficult challenge whilst raising funds and much needed awareness for The Charity. We wish them all the luck in the world for this epic challenge.
“Every year, 11,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour – that’s 30 a day – and our five-year research strategy A Cure Can’t Wait aims to double survival within 10 years and halve the harm caused by brain tumours on quality of life.
“We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations and gifts in Wills, so it’s only through the efforts of those such as the Hadrian’s Wall trekkers, and all their family and friends, that we can work towards our twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours.
“We are committed to fighting for all those people whose lives are turned upside down by this devastating disease.”
Paul has been recording his trek journey in a blog: http://www.4st-84miles.co.uk
Find out more: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/hadrianswall2018
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