Norfolk group’s coast-to-coast charity walk
The group, which walked from coast to coast in memory of Nathan Bray from Attleborough who was only 32 when he died of bowel cancer. - Credit: Archant
A team of 10 intrepid walkers have pushed themselves to the limit, covering 200 miles in just seven days in memory of an Attleborough man who died of bowel cancer.
The group, which walked from coast to coast in memory of Nathan Bray from Attleborough who was only 32 when he died of bowel cancer. - Credit: Archant
The group, which has completed other physical challenges since their friend Nathan Bray, died aged 32 in 2009, has raised a total of £50,000 for cancer treatment centre Bowel and Cancer Research, including more than £6,000 this year alone.
The coast-to-coast walk spanned Cumbria to North Yorkshire and normally takes two weeks.
Gareth Williams, from Mattishall, said they were still recovering from the challenge, which finished at the weekend.
He said: ''It was tough. We're all totally shattered.
'There were a few knee injuries, and lots of blisters and aches and pains but we stuck together. Those at the front always waited for the ones at the back.'
Other members of the group included Richard Green, 30, from Wymondham, Stuart Reynolds, 36, from Attleborough and Matt Atherton, 32, from Mattishall.
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Mr Williams said the biggest challenge came after the first couple of days.
He said: 'The hardest part was day three. On day two we'd gone through the Lake District, covering 31 miles and the highest peaks in the UK in 16 hours. It meant that getting up at 5am the next day was pretty difficult.'
Mr Williams was best man at Mr Bray's wedding, which took place just five days before his death.
He said: 'When Nathan died we pledged to keep his memory alive and this has been a good way of doing it. It has also become a way of bringing a group of good friends together.
'Nathan would have liked the fact that we've built such strong friendships.''
Bowel and Cancer Research chief executive Deborah Gilbert praised the group's efforts. He said: 'Gareth, Matt and their friends are absolutely fantastic. We cannot thank them enough. Our mission is to help ensure that bowel cancer is no longer a killer, and that people like Nathan will survive in future.''
To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/C2C2016
Have you got an Attleborough story? Email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk
