September 2008
The son of a former North East electrician took to the hills to raise money for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. Richard Thorpe, 43 set himself a gruelling challenge to complete the West Highland Way in just five days, culminating by climbing Ben Nevis on the sixth day.
Richard and the West Highland Way Team. The end at last!
Richard raising money for the Alan Thorpe Snowdrop Memorial Fund in memory of his father. Taking on the 95mile challenge with Richard were Steve Whithorn, Dave Kenyon, David Wylie Mark Tyson Cumbria, and Roly Lockey. They started in Milngavie, near Glasgow on September 14 and culminated the trip on September 19 at the top of Ben Nevis.
The Ben Nevis Team enjoy a well deserved drink!
The West Highland Way traditionally takes seven days to complete and does not include Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. The team plan on walking 20 miles a day in order to complete the challenge in the time frame. Richard, who is head of access engineering and innovation for BT, said he hopes the challenge helped to raise awareness of mesothelioma across the UK.
The team received support from a wide range of businesses, including one in Australia. Sponsors include Norman Dysney Young (NDY), BT, The Bradley Dyer Group and AF Switchgear and raised a staggering £9,065 with donations still coming in!
Summit of Ben Nevis What a Team
Alan was a member of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Self Help Group before he died. The group, which meets in Wallsend, provides support and advice to those affected by the disease.Members of the group were there to meet the team in Fort William at the end of the challenge.
Pictures
For more information and pictures about the challenge or to make a donation contact Richard on 07918082832 or log on to http://richardthorpe.squarespace.com/blog, or you can make an on line donation via the secure portal at http://www.justgiving.com/alanthorpe.
What an amazing achievement a huge thank you from MKMRF to all concerned
Richard is continuing raising awareness of mesothelioma by becoming a Patron of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund
24th June 2009
Alan Thorpe Snowdrop Memorial Fund totals £21,065.10
September 2009
Alan’s son Brian joined his brother in this year’s Scottish challenge walking across the Great Glen Way from Inverness to Ben Nevis. Brian raised a fantastic £435.00 in his father’s memory. The Alan Thorpe Snowdrop Memorial Fund total is now a whopping £21,506.10
