Football walk is set for kick-off in tribute to dad
FRIENDS AND FAMILY VISITING 28 GROUNDS IN BID TO RAISE £10,000 FOR CHARITY FOLLOWING DEATH OF 45-YEAR-OLD
A GROUP of volunteers are walking to 28 football grounds raising money in memory of a much-loved community figure, who died aged 45.
Friends and family of Owen Breen, a councillor from Heaton Mersey in Stockport, will visit 16 grounds in the north of England including United’s Old Trafford and City’s Etihad Stadium - on a non-stop 80-mile hike.
The three-day relay begins on March 24 and will start and finish at the family home of his widow, Trish, and their three children.
The week before, they will travel to Glasgow, where Owen was from originally, for a similar event that takes in Celtic Park, home of his beloved team Celtic.
Owen died after suffering a stroke and a pulmonary embolism. It is hoped £10,000 can be raised for the Stroke Association.
Mike Wilson, 51, who became friends with Owen and Trish 30 years ago when they started work at CIS together, is the chief organiser. He said: “With it being the 30th anniversary of when we met, we thought we should do something.
“He was a great family man and a really nice bloke who would always put himself out for others. He loved football and was a massive Celtic fan so would love this. It’s for a good cause and a tribute to Owen.”
Around 60 people will take part including Trish, 49, daughter Maria, 22, and sons Owen, 20, and Joe, 18.
The walkers will alternate every five miles. Some walking will take part through the night - including a stage over Saddleworth Moor from Huddersfield to Oldham.
The group hopes they will be allowed on the pitches at the grounds to take photos and have already secured permission at Anfield, the first stop on their north of England walk.
Stockport County’s Edgeley Park will be the final ground visited and other clubs over the two weekends include Everton, Rochdale, Halifax, Glasgow Rangers and St Mirren.
As well as being a councillor for the Heatons South ward, Owen was a school governor at St Winifred’s primary, where Trish teaches.
She said: “It is really moving for me and important to do this. It was a massive shock when Owen died and what got me through was the support of family and friends.
“I don’t want people to forget Owen and the impact he had on people’s lives.”
To donate visit redwoodevents. co.uk.