Fulwood grandad replaces Peruvian Andes with Preston Guild Wheel for charity trek

John takes a breather along the 23.3 mile route, which he used to raise money for Rosemere Cancer Foundation in lieu of his planned trip to Peru

Had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, Fulwood man John Farnden would have been trekking the Peruvian Andes to raise money for Rosemere Cancer Foundation this year.

Instead, John had to make do with walking the Guild Wheel – but despite not leaving his home city, it still proved an unforgettable experience.

The location meant that John, 66, who works for the Department of Work and Pensions, could share the 23.3 mile trek from his house around the Wheel and back home again with his daughter Leonie and grandsons Oscar, 11, and Sid, 10, who kept pace with them for a whole 16 miles.

He was also able to share stretches with friends Louise and Rose Bee and Gemma Gordon and her daughter Millie.

John, who wants to raise at least £900 in sponsorship, said: “Oscar and Sid did amazing for their age.

“It was great to share the experience with them, my daughter and good friends and fantastic to raise such a large donation for Rosemere. I am very grateful to everyone for their support.”

John and daughter Leonie with Oscar and Sid on the Guild Wheel walk

The walk was John’s fifth consecutive annual fundraising challenge for Rosemere Cancer Foundation and a 40th birthday tribute to his late son-in-law Ric Clark, Oscar and Sid’s dad.

Ric died of stomach cancer in December 2015, bequeathing his bike to John, who has put it to good use on a trio of fundraising cycles in support of Rosemere from London to Paris, Paris to Geneva and from London to Brussels via Amsterdam.

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With Leonie, he also joined Rosemere Cancer Foundation on its first ever fundraising expedition in 2018 to the Great Wall of China and was set to fly to Peru with the charity next month for a trek to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.

In addition, John is a veteran of numerous Walks in the Dark, Rosemere’s annual 11 mile night time jaunt along the A6 from Chorley & South Ribble Hospital to Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital on which he has also been joined by Leonie and more recently, Oscar and Sid.

What do you think of John’s fundraising efforts? Let us know in the comments below