Mayor’s welcome for Stuart’s News feat to give kids a Skeggy trip
A MAN who walked 120 miles in just five days to raise money for charity was greeted at the finishing line by the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Robin Wood.
Stuart Boon, 38, completed the walk to raise money for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, in Skegness, after enjoying holidays there himself as a boy.
Stuart, who works for Derby City Council’s Street Pride, raised £1,000 by undertaking the challenge, clocking up the distance between Derby and Tower Bridge in London.
He walked from 6am to 6pm every day completing the challenge at the Council House in Corporation Street.
Stuart said: “I like walking and the weather was all right most of the time, so I was really lucky. I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me because £1,000 will provide holidays for a few children.
“I had a lovely time at the seaside when I was little and it is really nice to think that I have paid my good fortune forward.
“I was amazed to see so many people waiting for me at the finishing line – especially the mayor in all his gear. That was a lovely surprise.”
It is not the first time Stuart has raised money for the charity; in 2009 he trekked to Skegness from his home in Allenton raising £2,500 for the centre.
Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre normally caters for more than 600 children a year at its specialist holiday home in Skegness, but it has not been able to open in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic. The centre gives a break by the sea to children who would not otherwise get a holiday, either because they care for relatives, or live in homes where there may be abuse, financial hardship, other harsh realities and few comforts. It costs £340 to send one child-inneed to the centre in Skegness for five days, and the charity would like to offer the breaks to maximum numbers next year.
Chairman of the charity, Alan Grimadell, was at the finishing line waiting to congratulate Stuart on his achievement.
He said: “This wonderful charity has been taking disadvantaged children on holiday for 130 years and we have been heartbroken not to be able to continue that this year.
“We are immensely proud of Stuart who is very determined when he sets his mind to do something. I know he has fond memories of holidays in Skegness when he was young and he is keen for others to share the same experience.
“We very much hope Covid will be under control by next year, when we hope to take as many children as possible over to Skegness for a break.
“As always we’d like to ask the good people of Derby to support us. Charities have really suffered over the last two years and Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre is no different.”
It is not too late to sponsor Stuart. If you would like to make a donation please visit his fundraising page, Stuart Boon is fundraising for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, at justgiving.com