News
Charities share £22k fromwalk
TWO Kent businessmen have walked 150 miles along the Grand Union Canal, raising more than £22,000 for five different charities. Bearsted residents David Bracey
and Desmond High walked the route from Birmingham to London in just five days. Co-founder of The Fountain Workshop, David pledged to do something to raise awareness of tes- ticular cancer after receiving treat- ment for the disease. They finished the walk at King’s
Cross, where they were greeted by friends, family and representatives from their chosen charities. Each day of the walk was dedi-
cated to a different charity: Orchid – working on behalf of anyone affected by male cancer; The Primary Club – a cricketers’ charity that helps to provide sports and recreational facilities for the vi- sually impaired; The Quest School in Paddock Wood – for children with autism; Lupus (UK), which supports re- search into this incurable illness; Fields of Life – a Kent charity pro- moting clean water, education and
health in East Africa. David and Desmond met 10 years
ago in their roles as colts’ managers at Bearsted and Linton Park cricket clubs.
David said: “Thiswas the hardest
thing I've ever done. However, my body will recover eventually and there are many people in the world suffering from illnesses from which they will never recover. “It is for them thatwe have raised
awareness and money. Thanks go to all our sponsors for all the generous support they've shown. “After five days of gruelling slog
from Birmingham to London itwas fantastic to be welcomed back by representatives from the charities and from friends and families when we arrived at King's Cross.” Desmond said: “Doing one 30-
milewalk would have been fine but to be getting up the following morn- ing for four days to do the same again was the real challenge. We have had great support from family, friends and business colleagues and are delighted that we have already raised more than £4,000 for each of the five deserving causes.”
downsmail.co.uk Putting the boots in
UNEMPLOYED residents may be able to get a helping hand to put their best feet forward. Maidstone Council has opened a “boot bank” which will enable people
to take on manual work by giving them free work boots, which can be paid for at a later date. The money will then be used to buy more boots to keep the scheme going. The idea for the scheme came about when a group of agencies working to- gether to support homeless people in the town found that some people had been offered work, but could not afford the boots they needed to take on the job. Lordswood-based construction company Faithdean has agreed to kick-
Damien South presents boots to Cllr Marion Ring
start the scheme with a donation of 10 pairs of work boots. Director Damien South said: “I hope that providing some of the equipment needed to take on work will make a real difference.” Cllr Marion Ring, chairman of Maidstone Council’s communities, hous-
ing and environment committee, said: “Some of the barriers that people face to get back into work can be very simple to overcome with just a lit- tle innovative thinking, and the boot bank has the potential to help some of those in most need.” Those using the scheme initially will be those with a local connection
who have been referred by local support agencies. Any companies able to donate boots or protective equipment to the scheme, can email
housingadvice@maidstone.gov.uk.
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