The Orange Hoody Crew, Michelle, Wendy, Mel, Liam, Martin, Steve, Nathan, Kyle, Joe, Marc and myself would like to thank you for taking a look at our Just Giving Page- 

 So.....What's it all about?

It all started back in 2015  when I suffered a serious heart attack and underwent a triple heart by pass operation. The surgery took place at The Stoke Royal University Hospital, of whom I cannot speak highly enough. As I recovered from the op I wondered, why I don't know, but I wondered how long it might take to walk home. Perhaps it was because I had been told I would not be able to drive for at least a month, or until such time that I could safely conduct an emergency stop. Believe me, when you've had your chest cracked open, the last thing you would want to do is an emergency stop....ouch!! I made a pledge that 12 months to the day that I went home, I would walk from the hospital to the pub at the top of my road. Unfortunately I live 40 miles from the hospital. 

May 4th 2016 myself along with 12 other "nutters" completed the task raising just over £10k. Since then we have done the walk a total of 5 times. We had to adjust the route in 2021 to allow for covid restrictions, and in 2020 I did it alone, but complete it we did. So far we have raised over £50k to various charities.

2023 will be the 6th Long Walk Home, and we are going to do the original route from Stoke, through Stone, Rugeley, Lichfield to Four Oaks in Sutton Coldfield, and The Crown pub at the top of my road. All told it is around 40 miles and will take somewhere between 12-14 hours. It's tough, hard on the body and the soul but with your support worth every last painful step.

I hope you can find it in your heart to contribute whatever you can afford towards the amazing charity we have chosen this year, Buddy Bag Foundation, who provide support to children who find themselves in emergency care following traumatic incidents. A Buddy Bag  contains essential items they need for their immediate well being. Each bag costs £25 and 100% of donations go to the cause.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit our page 

Positively yours,

Mark Tonks