Kempston man reaches £3,000 mark for Children With Cancer UK ahead of 166k walk

A man from Kempston has raised over £3,000 for Children With Cancer UK ahead of his 166k walk this weekend.

Godwin Debattista, 56, will set off tomorrow morning (Saturday) and head to Paddington, and on Sunday he will take on the final stretch of his challenge to Brighton.

He is hoping to raise as much as possible for Children With Cancer UK after learning about the work the charity does.

It is the leading national children's charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer, raising money for research and providing care for children with cancer and their families.

The aims of their research projects are to understand what causes children to get cancer and to develop improved treatments.

Godwin said: "In 2003, my dad was in hospital in Malta, where we lived, with terminal cancer. As a family we would take it in turns to stay overnight with him.

"On one occasion, I saw a child on one of the wards that had the same cancer as my dad, and that has stuck with me ever since.

"When I heard about this charity and the work they do, I knew it was something that I wanted to help with and support.

"I was supposed to do the challenge in May but couldn't because of coronavirus, but now I'm able to do it and I'm looking forward to it. It will be tough but enjoyable!

"Having set a target of £2000, we have been blessed with generosity, and we have already hit £3120.

"The funds mean more research, more cures and importantly more children can 'ring the end of treatment bell'."

Godwin has been training for the challenge by taking on long walks, including Bedford to Northampton, Bedford to Harpenden and around Bedfordshire villages.

On both days, he will be joined by his daughters and he will have family and friends supporting him along the route.

He added: "I've been doing long walks, I have an app that works out how long it should take, and it is saying 16 hours on the Saturday from Bedford to Paddington and on the Sunday, 17 hours to Brighton.

"We will start in Bedford and go through Kempston, Ampthill, Sundon, Luton and down to Paddington.

"I've had so much support from people online donating, I've also had work colleagues and friends and family supporting me, and some of them will be cheering me on at the weekend.

"My daughter and her partner will be walking with me on the Saturday, and then my other daughter and her partner will be walking with me on the Sunday

"I've baked cakes for a bake sale and done a car boot as well to raise money for the charity.

"Thanks to everyone who has donated and supported me, the money will really help the charity with the work they do."

To support Godwin and Children With Cancer UK visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bedfordtobrightonwalk. For more about Godwin and his fundraising visit: www.instagram.com/goddo27.