News / Charlie’s Big Walk: tired limbs and high spirits
A HERO’S welcome greeted ten weary workmates when they finished a non-stop, 80-mile charity walk in Sumburgh on Saturday afternoon.
The men, who are employed by Bilfinger at Sullom Voe, left the top of Unst at 6am on Friday in a gruelling quest to walk the length of Shetland in one go, writes Chris Cope.
They were raising money for three charities – CLIC Sargent, Chloe’s Chemoo Cows and Glasgow’s Ronald McDonald House – who help six year old Sandwick boy Charlie Newlands as he receives treatment for leukaemia.
The workers arrived at their Sumburgh Hotel destination at around 3.30pm on Saturday with sore feet and tired limbs – but in high spirits – after walking through the night with stops only for refreshments.
A healthy crowd gathered at the hotel to cheer on the Charlie’s Big Walk fundraisers, who were treated to a well-deserved bottle of champagne upon arrival.
One of the men taking part in the walk, John-William Halcrow, said after completing the marathon task that the walkers managed to stay buoyant for most of the trip.
“The walk was very enjoyable…most of the time. 95 per cent of the time, probably. There was one low point in the middle of the night when tiredness set in, it was a bit quiet.
“From the Brig o’ Fitch to Gulberwick was a bit tough, we got very tired – sleepwalking most of the way I think. But it’s a good bunch of boys and it was a good fun all the way.”
The team, who spent about three months prior to the walk preparing for the big day, were joined at various points during their near-34 hour trip by locals for a morale boost.
“Loads of people were joining in and also donating money,” Halcrow said. “We filled about three charity tubs full and a bucket too, so there were some very generous folk around. I couldn’t believe how many people came and chucked money at us. And Sonny Priest gave a big donation and a case of beer, which I think we’ll probably enjoy tonight. We can enjoy ourselves now – we’ve raised a lot of money for a good cause and peerie Charlie.”
One unexpected set of supporters during the walk was drummer Halcrow’s bandmates from rock group The Dirty Lemons, who surprised the team in the early hours of Saturday morning with a roadside disco.
“Craig Watt and Anthony Peart brought a disco set-up that was booming ‘500 Miles’, and they were standing at the side with their guitars. We all went and had a dance.”
Walking the entire length of Shetland with little rest and no sleep may seem terrifying to some, but Halcrow concluded that his commitment to the cause would alway stake precedence over any physical hardship.
“There was no chance of giving up,” he said. “I was going to walk the 80 miles no matter what happened.”
The Dirty Lemons meanwhile will perform alongside The Last at the Mid Brae Inn on Saturday 13 September to raise money for Charlie’s Big Walk and fellow local charity effort 7in7James.
You can donate to the Charlie’s Big Walk cause via the Just Giving links below:
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