MORE than 150 people have pledged thousands of pounds in support of a fundraising walk which takes place this weekend in memory of a Barnard Castle man who took his own life last year.
The event, in memory of Andrew Tobbell, has been organised by his brother, Ian, and widow, Claire.
The Walk in Memory of Andrew will see supporters stride out off from Scar Top, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, April 13, head to Middleton via Cotherstone and Eggleston and return via Mickleton, Romaldkirk and Cotherstone.
Money raised will go to the support group ManHealth, which hosts sessions in Barnard Castle for men suffering from depression and other mental health problems.
Mr Tobbell was just 48 when he died, leaving behind his wife and children Jack, 18, and 21-year-old Shannon. The reason for his death remains unknown.
So far, £3,270 has been pledged on the walk’s online JustGiving page and Ian hopes to have topped £5,000 by the time the 25.2-mile trek is completed.
He said there had been a good response to the walk. Some walkers are planning to tackle the full distance, while others will join in for stages along the way. Still more people had offered their support in different ways, said Ian.
“There are going to be a lot of people about on Saturday,” he said.
“People can park at the auction mart for the day and the cricket club will be open from 7.30am for tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches. The club is also putting on food when we get back.”
Adrian and Mel Bell are providing a pre-ordered food and drink stop as the walk passes Lund Hill Farm, Mickleton, so those taking part don’t have to carry a packed lunch with them.
“I’ve had a lot of feedback from people saying they will be doing a particular part of the walk. For example, someone with MS is going to do the last bit from Cotherstone,” added Ian. He said anyone wishing to support the walk is welcome to join in – either to tackle the whole length or just a part of it.
“I don’t think it’s a hard walk – it’s relatively flat.”
Walkers will be carrying collection buckets as they go, and donations can still be made online at https://
www.justgiving.com/crowd
funding/walkforandrew.
For anyone wishing to take part in the event, the itinerary, with all timings approximate, is:
l 8.30am prompt: Leave Scar Top
l 10am: Cotherstone, opposite the Hagg
l 11.30am: Eggleston, the Three Tuns
l 2pm: Middleton Auction Mart
l 2.30pm: Mickleton, beginning of the railway line
l 2.45pm: Mickleton, Lund Hill Farm, food and drink stop
l 4.15pm: Romaldkirk village green
l 5.45pm: Cotherstone, entering from Lartington
l 7pm-7.15pm: Silver bridge, Barnard Castle to the cricket club
