Three-legged Melbourn trio to complete coast-to-coast walk in aid of charity

A Melbourn trio are setting on a 190-mile walk which will see them cross the country – and have pledged to do part of the route three-legged.

Keith Barrell, Simon Gascoyne and Miles Farbridge, will start their walk at Saint Bees in Cumbria on May 12. They aim to complete their marathon trek to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire in 11 days.

Mr Gascoyne, who is secretary of Melbourn FC, said: “We are all capable of a 20-mile mountain hike in a day but sustaining that pace over 11 days will be a real challenge.”

As an extra challenge, the trio have been sponsored to walk a mile of each day three-legged.

“Safety will be paramount in our minds and the three-legged walking will only occur on level ground,” said Mr Gascoyne. “We are keen to raise this extra sponsorship without jeopardizing the rest of the expedition. It’s going to be hairy enough – we have undertaken not to shave for the duration of the walk!”

The team, walking under the name Jimmy Mac, is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Jimmy’s Night Shelter in Cambridge.

During the trip they will acknowledge the fifth anniversary of the passing of Simon’s mother and a few days later, the birthday of Keith’s mother, the first without her. Both died of cancer.

Jimmy’s Cambridge was a charity close to the heart of a good friend of all three, Jason Gale, a chef at the Green Man at Shepreth, who died this year.

Donations for both charities may be made via JustGiving pages at c2cjimmymac.co.uk.

A welcome-home party is planned for Sunday, May 25 at the Black Horse, Melbourn, where it is hoped additional funds will be raised.