Michael Rice, a husband, a brother, a son and a truly humble friend died in 2013 suddenly. Mike was a local lad who had played football for many years and known by many within the local football community. Mike had played for a few teams, Necton, Wendling and just prior to his death was the captain of a up and coming Gressenhall reserves side. Mike was enjoying a game of badminton with his older brother Steve when tragic events unfolded.

Many of our emergency services, East Anglian Air Ambulance, East of England Ambulance Service and local community first responder volunteers gave Mike every chance of survival, but his death shook all that knew him.

In Mike’s memory I created the Michael Rice Annual Invitational shield, which is a football tournament bring players and families together to celebrate some of Mike’s loves, football, friends and family.

So far we have raised money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), however this year I have set a different challenge for different charities.

This year, starting 20th/21st September 2019 we are going to attempt to walk the whole of Peddars Way to the North Norfolk coast and then walk the North Norfolk Coast path.

This walk is a monster 130 miles and is going to be a very hard physically and psychologically. The plan is to complete this walk in around 46-50 hours, however due to distance and fatigue it is more likely to be 50 hours+. There is going to be a team of 6 that is going to attempt to walk the whole distance, this team consists of Steve Rice, Joe Millett, Gavin Millett, Neil Long, Ray Beales and me (Martin Wales).

This year we are going to raise money and split 50/50 to East Anglian Air Ambulance and a local little boy called Harry.

💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛

Harry vs Neuroblastoma

Harry, is two years old. In January 2018 he was diagnosed with High Risk Neuroblastoma. This is a very aggressive cancer which mainly effects children under the age of five. Harry has been through alot, various types of chemotherapy, stem cell harvest and transplant, 8 hours of major surgery and three weeks of radiotherapy, countless blood and platelet transfusions and many many scans and tests. He has recently finished 6 months of immunotherapy, that is Harry's front line treatment done, however around half of children with Neuroblastoma relapse and if this happens their chance of survival reduces to 1 in 10. We are hopeful the end of treatment scans will show Harry is in remission then he will meet the criteria for the Bivalent vaccine trial which is only available in New York. The trial is showing promising signs in reducing the chance of relapse but it is not available on the NHS. They needed to raise £239,000 by the 18th May 2019, then they could take Harry to America and give him the best chance of being cancer free.

You can read more about Harry's story and donate at.....

https://solvingkidscancer.org.uk/campaigns/harrys-appeal/

follow Harry's Facebook page Harry Vs Neuroblastoma. Harry is also on twitter and Instagram.

taken from Harry vs neuroblastoma facebook page

The walk is planned for the end of September 2019 and most likely starting the Friday evening and finishing the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Anyone wanting to come walk with us for short periods during the walk to help us keep the pace going and psychologically and emotionally support us during the way can be organised nearer the walk date.

During the walk there will be a support vehicle at check points to monitor timing, provide first aid support and replenish food/water.

Please please please dig in your pockets and help us raise money in the loving memory of Michael Rice.

Any size of donation is massively appreciated in helping us raise our target.

Thanks for reading

Martin Wales