A Castleford man will lead a group of hikers in a sponsored walk in aid of three local children with cerebral palsy

Gareth Edwards (left) and Alex Craven, Imogen Holmes and Mae Fox

He’s decided to lead a sponsored walk from on Saturday, September 5 for three local children living with cerebral palsy: Alex Craven, 9, Mae Fox, 10 and Imogen Holmes, 3.

Gareth said: “I've been helping to raise money for children living with disabilities for quite a while now, with COVID it’s hard to raise money, so that made me want to help even more.

“When you meet children like Imogen, Alex and Mae, you can see their struggles, so it’s important people fundraise to get them the physio they need .

The group will leave Wetherby Racecourse at 9am and will walk a total of 17 1⁄2 miles down to Castleford

“Seeing their happy faces and knowing you’re helping them to walk makes you want to do more to help.

“We’ve got about 20 walkers so far, who have been raising money with sponsor sheets I've provided, anyone is welcome to join if they contact me through Facebook.

“I just want to thank you to every one of the walkers who are taking part, the sponsors, C&C Fabrications and Mark Pugh who is also giving his time up to be a support driver on day - I'm very humbled with the support.

“Without these people I wouldn’t be able to set up events like this to help raise funds to help children like Imogen, Mae and Alex - my heart goes out to each of them.”

Gareth Edwards, a proud fundraiser from Castleford, has been thinking of ways to raise funds for good causes during lockdown

The walk was supposed to go forth in July, but due to COVID, it had to be postponed.

And despite recovering from snapped tendons in his ankles, Gareth is more determined than ever to lead the walkers to victory.

The group will leave Wetherby Racecourse at 9am and will walk a total of 17 ½ miles down to Castleford.

Alex Craven’s mum, Sarah, said: “The fundraising we do is extremely important as money raised from events like this helps pay for equipment for Alex that he needs and private physio that we pay for.

“Unfortunately Alex, like a lot of children, only gets the basic involvement from the NHS where physio is concerned which is probably not even an hour per month.

“Whereas we pay for physio every 2 weeks plus intense 3 day sessions at a centre in Wales.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone for their continued ongoing support for Alex.”

To get involved, contact Gareth Edwards here