Largely underprepared and lacking fitness, a group of friends from the Chester area will walk the full 34 miles (55km) of The Sandstone Trail in a day. 

The trail runs from the ancient market town of Frodsham on the river Mersey through the Cheshire countryside to the Georgian town of Whitchurch in rural Shropshire. The walk is typically undertaken over a 3 day period.

This group intend to display their powers of bloody mindedness, naivety and blister endurance to raise funds to help families with disabled children.

About Time Away

Time Away is a unique charity which provides families with disabled children ‘time away’ to enjoy a much needed break together.

Founded by Alex and Ilmarie Braun, the charity was inspired by their son Eddie, seven, who was born with a series of serious, debilitating health problems.

Alex and Ilmarie understand first-hand how caring for a disabled child can put enormous emotional and financial pressure on the family unit. Parents are often forced to give up their jobs and careers to look after their child full time. Studies have shown that, on average, families with a disabled child face costs of £600 a month extra on top of household bills, but for as many as a quarter of families these costs can amount to much more, sometimes topping £1,000 a month.

Time away from the home environment gives families the chance to rest, recharge and spend quality time together to enhance the family bond. It can be invaluable in ensuring
families are not overwhelmed and can continue to provide the ongoing care required long term and into the future.

Since Eddie’s birth, Alex and Ilmarie have received incredible support from family and friends, who have given up their time and taken part in numerous charity events to help them fund care for their son. The couple, of Chester, Cheshire, were determined to give something back and, last year, Alex decided to give up his construction business to set up Time Away full time.

The charity has already partnered with Sykes Holiday cottages and were delighted to be able to send their first families on free Time Away holidays this year. However, the aim is that, once the charity is established and grows, many more families and children will enjoy Time Away breaks in the years to come.