The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Posh fan plans a return to Wembley for charity
A Peterborough United fan will return to Wembley later this month – as part of a huge charity walk in a bit to help prevent suicide.
Steve Webb will take part in a huge walk, leaving from the national stadium and taking in the grounds of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Chelsea, Fulham and Brentford before heading back to finish under the famous arch.
The 54-year-old will be completing the 40-mile walk on April 22 to raise money for Baton of Hope, a charity helping to tackle suicide. He has already raised more than £1,000 in sponsorship on his fundraising page.
It will not be the first charity fundraising mission Steve has taken part in for a good cause, and he said: “A couple of years ago, I set out to meet celebrities and get selfies and autographs from them – I met Tyson Fury, Margot Robbie, Daniel Radcliffe and a few others. I then sold off the autograph book and raised £4,000 for Bi Polar UK.
“I wanted to do something different – but I wasn’t going to do a marathon, or go skydiving – but I thought this would be doable.
"On average one person will die by suicide every 90 minutes – so doing a fundraising walk around football stadiums seemed to make sense.
"I have set myself a target of raising £1,500 for charity, and I have already raised more than £1,300.”
Steve said the cause was a vital one for him. He said: “I have known people who have died by suicide. It is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.
"One on three of us will be affected by suicide in some way.
"What makes me cross is that it is still a taboo subject. It is still not an easy thing to discuss.
“But if people do check up, they do ask if people are alright – if they notice someone is not themselves, say ‘you don’t seem right – are you OK?’
“You can only help by asking, and see if they need help – it could be from MIND, The Samaritans, their GP.
"People should know the signs that someone is struggling, so they can help.”
For the charity walk, Steve will complete most of it alone – but he will have some company for part of the trek.
He said: “I will be starting at 5am, and I think I’ll finish just past midnight.
"For part of the walk I will be joined by (former England, Watford and AC Milan footballer) Luther Blissett, who works with the charity.
"Spurs have said I can come into the stadium for a picture at pitch side, Fulham have asked me to write a piece for their matchday programme, and Chelsea and West Ham have asked if I can write for their fanzines.
"My training is going well so far. I walked about 22 miles around Rutland Water recently.”
To sponsor Steve, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/ steves-stroll-to-stop-suicide
For more information about the Baton of Hope charity, visit https://batonofhopeuk.org/the-baton/
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans. org, or visit www.samaritans. org.