Myself (Sandbach Hatter - or 'Sandy') and my good friend Gareth Evans (Hatter in Macc - or 'Maccy') - are founder members of an online Stockport County Fans' Forum called "County Heaven".
In 2013, we became aware of a children's cancer charity called "Kidscan" who are based in Salford. We were so impressed by the work that they do funding research into cures for childhood cancer, that we organised the first ever 'Hatters Hike', which involved us walking from Edgeley Park to Moss Rose (13 and-a-bit miles) prior to the match between our beloved Stockport County and Macclesfield Town.
18 walkers (and a dog) took part, and we raised more than £1,800 in the process.
Then, on Saturday 28th March 2015 (as luck would have it, exactly two years on) we walked from Edgeley Park to Ewen Fields, the home of Hyde FC before County's game there. And, because the distance was shorter than to Macclesfield (just 6.3 miles this time), after the match we walked back again - in torrential rain!
Despite fewer people taking part this time, we still managed to raise over £1,500 for Kidscan.
Now, we're off on our travels again - except this time we're driving.
On Saturday 25th June 2016, myself and Gareth will set off from Edgeley Park, with the aim of visiting all 22 football grounds from the Conference North (2015/2016 season) in one weekend. If all goes according to plan, we will return to Edgeley Park on the Sunday evening, having travelled nearly 1,000 miles.
We are again raising money for Kidscan, as they so desperately need support, and we would urge everyone to take a look at their website and then dig deep.
25% of children who are diagnosed with cancer won't see their 30th birthday. We can change that.
If you would like to contact me separately - to either offer support or non-monetary assistance - please e-mail me at sandbachhatter@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you everyone.
Greg Hall - April 2016
