Siblings tackle a 14-mile trek for charity in dad’s memory
Duo supporters of child bereavement cause
A MOORLANDS woman and her brother – who both suffer from arthiritis – donned 1930s clothing to undertake a charity walking challenge in memory of their father.
Siblings Susan Wood and David Mason are passionate about national charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports children and young people who have lost a parent serving in the Armed Forces.
After losing their father, who was a former Parachute Regiment soldier and great advocate for the charity, they decided to take on the 14-mile hike of Kinder Scout, the highest point of the Peak District, on September 24.
It’s a hike that David did with his late father, giving him a strong emotional connection to the walk.
Susan, of Cheddleton, said: “We’ve done quite a few challenges in the past, including a 40-mile trek last year. I’m a big walker anyway, a very outdoors person. Both David and I like to get out as much as we can.
“I started off with a lot of canal walking, and built up from there. I did 10 miles, then 15, and then tried to do more so that people would sponsor us.”
Susan and David both suffer from arthritis, as well as other health conditions, which makes the challenge even tougher.
Susan said: “People don’t realise unless they know us, they just see it as another walk. But for us it’s a real challenge. But being out there keeps us going.
“We live in different areas of the country so it’s nice to get together and have a catch up as we walk.
“It’s really important for us to do what we can to raise money for such an important charity, especially this year.
“We should have done a big fundraiser in July, but Covid put a stop to that.
“On top of that we know people are struggling financially, so it’s amazing that we have managed to raise so much already.
“We have visited the charity before and it’s such a small team and we were blown away by the positive work that they do.
“There’s no fancy, big office, it’s a small charity that started in a portacabin. But they do phenomenal things.”
David said: “We chose Kinder Scout due to its link to freedom, thanks to the ‘Mass Trespass’ of 1932 which gained the public access through our National Parks.
“Plus, we walked in 1930s attire just as they did on the Mass Trespass – so no fancy gortex coats and trousers on this venture.
“We think this theme of freedom links in with Scotty’s greatly. The support and work Scotty’s provide helps the children with that sense of escapism and freedom from their worries, so they can feel like kids again.”
Susan added: “I hadn’t done this route before – David always plans them. He’s the Army guy and the map reader.
“The route is very hilly and it’s quite tough, but we enjoyed it.
“I like going to places that I’ve never been to before, and it’s always nice to see David and have a catch up.”
So far, they have raised more than £500 for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, and plan to keep their fundraising page open for longer to try and hit their £1,000 goal.
David said: “As a former Royal Horse Artillery and Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Rifle Platoon soldier, I have incredibly high praise for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, having seen first-hand the amazing support they provide to the children of our fallen soldiers.
“Losing a parent is heartbreaking at any age, but to lose one as a child is absolutely devastating.
“Anything we can do to help support these children is incredibly important.”
Nikki Wood, founder of Scotty’s Little Soliders, said: “We cannot thank David and Sue enough for their continued fundraising efforts.
“Their help ensures we can carry on providing support to our members through the most difficult time of their lives.”