Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page, which is in memory of my husband Len Hutton.
This page will also be used for donations to The Walk for Len (please read below) which took place in August 2009
Len was christened Graham, but during his days at school there were two boys in his class named Graham. His teacher gave him the nickname Len after the famous Yorkshire and England cricketer Sir Len Hutton.
Len was the type of person who left a good impression on those he met.
He served as a Police Officer for 30 years from 1961 to 1991. Firstly with the City of London Police and then Gloucestershire Constabulary.
He joined the Local Authority in Stroud on retiring from the Police and during this time introduced the Kapers playscheme, the Dairy Crest Trophy and the Millennium 6 aside football tournaments for local primary schools.
From 1992 until 1999 together, we independently organised and ran Kids Klub, a Saturday club for the children of Nailsworth.
Len had an interest in many sports, in particular, speedway and football, where he supported West Ham United and his local team Forest Green Rovers. Len was an excellent sportsman himself, and excelled in several sports including swimming and squash. He was also Chairman of Stroud Squash Club during the 1990's.
Len was an extremely fit person. However in June 2008 after retiring six months earlier he was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. After battling bravely against the illness he passed away on 6th December 2008.
Mesothelioma is an asbestos related industrial disease for which there is no known cure.
Walk for Len
John Barnes a good friend of Len will be walking the Cotswold Way (102 miles) in six days during August 2009. John's aim is to increase awareness of Mesothelioma and to raise funds for the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund. If you are interested in learning more about John's challenge, or maybe joining the walk for a few miles, a day, or as many days as you wish please visit www.walkforlen.com
The Walk for Len (The Cotswold Way) 26th - 31st August 2009
When John first told me of his idea to walk the Cotswold Way in six days I thought it would be nice to support him. My thoughts were to join John on one or maybe two days. I then decided it would be good to do the first and last days. As time went by, prior to the walk, friends and family showed an interest in joining for certain days or parts of the walk. Every time this happened I thought it would be fun to join them. In the end not wanting to miss anything I completed all six days!
I discovered a lot about myself on the walk, the mileage on the first day was further than I had ever walked in one go. We seemed to spend as much time walking to where we had come from as well as where we were going - The Cotswold Way is not in a straight line. I also discovered there are miles and something else called 'John miles', John's being a lot longer!
As I had not planned to do the whole walk, my aim was to try and raise awareness of Mesothelioma, while John tried to get sponsorship. I now realise that maybe I missed an opportunity to raise funds for The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund. If you have sponsored me, thank you very much, if you have not please consider it. Any amount, however small, would be appreciated.
The Cotswold Way is well worth walking - over a period of time. I would certainly do it again but maybe not in six days!
Photo's from the walk can be seen on www.walkforlen.com
Thank you for your support
Jane
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to raise money in memory of Len : The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
PLEASE HELP US BEAT THIS AWFUL AGGRESSIVE DISEASE
Thank you for your support.
Jane