Man fundraises for Bowel Cancer UK and MND charities

Thomas Forsyth, 66, is from Stanhope and has lost two lifelong friends in the last two years to bowel cancer and motor neurone disease.

He lost his friend Doug Murray to bowel cancer in 2019, and Cecil Pringle to MND in 2022. The pair were both from Allendale.

Thomas on his walk across the UK (Image: Supplied)

Thomas decided to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in their memory and to fundraise for Bowel Cancer UK and the MND Association.

Thomas started his walk on May 7 and finished on August 6, with only a few rest days during that time. 

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Even though he has completed the walk, he has decided to keep the separate Just Giving fundraising pages open until September 10 to allow him more time to reach his targets and is planning more walks between now and then.

To donate to Thomas' MND Association Just Giving page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-forsyth.

To donate to his Bowel Cancer UK page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-forsyth.

Thomas on his walk, at the start of the Pennine Way (Image: Supplied)

Thomas has so far raised £880 for the MND Association and £1,130 for Bowel Cancer UK.

Heather Pringle, Cecil's niece, said: "It is so incredibly important that we support these charities - they do vital work in awareness raising, advocacy and research, and support families and individuals affected by these terrible diseases in some of their darkest and hardest times.

Thomas at Land's End (Image: Supplied)

"Thomas lost good friends too soon to these illnesses and wanted to not only complete this challenge in their memory but also to fund these causes so that they can continue the great work that they do - finding treatment, helping people to get early diagnosis and supporting them on their journey.

"Thomas has achieved something really wonderful and it’s great to give him the recognition he deserves."