COLLIERS FANS IN CHARITY WALK

A group of Ashington fans are ready to go more than the extra mile next week in a bid to raise funds for a well-known charity.

Last year seven fans from Ashington FC conducted a sponsored walk covering a distance of 14 miles from Morpeth Town’s Craik Park via Bedlington to Woodhorn Lane – home of Ashington FC.  This time five of the seven plus three newcomers will put their walking boots on as they add an additional chapter to their mission entitled ‘Colliers kicking Cancer’ – with all proceeds being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.

This year’s walk will see the mileage increase to 16 miles as they head from Woodhorn Lane down the coast to Whitley Bay, hoping to arrive ahead of the Colliers Ebac Northern League clash against the Seahorses at Hillheads on Saturday October 27.

Neil Dickinson, whose grandfather Andrew Stuart Hall was hit by prostate cancer said: “We plan to set off between 7.30-8am and other people might want to join us. There is good craic between the lads en route – and we are all looking forward to it.

“Last year we didn’t set ourselves a target and our attitude was that whatever we got was a bonus. We raised in the region of £5,000 which was a tremendous effort. We have set up a JustGiving page and will also be carrying buckets with us on our journey if people want to donate. The walk is open to anyone and we are hoping someone from Whitley Bay might get in touch to come along with us.”

The idea behind the walk was originally initiated by Stevie Baptist. After having five years of treatment, Stevie’s father Ken received the all-clear whilst his father-in-law has also been affected by prostate cancer. Stevie said: “The walk is something which I wanted to do again. I asked the other lads about it and they agreed – and it may turn into an annual event. We had planned to walk ahead of our scheduled match at Dunston on October 13 – which also coincided with non league day – but we were drawn away to Nelson in the first round of the Buildbase FA Vase so we switched to October 27 which was the next available date.” The eight walkers are: Neil Dickinson; Thomas Dickinson; Mark Dickinson; Craig Dickinson; Stevie Baptist; Michael Slee, John Saunders and Gav Perry.

Pictured are the party of weary legged walkers arriving at Woodhorn Lane after completing the event last year.

Donations can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-baptist2