Well we did it!!

Around 50 Kidderminster Harriers fans (and two from AFC Telford) walked the 35 miles from Kidderminster to Telford. The majority did this in just one day!

The walkers met at Aggborough Stadium on Good Friday at 6am ahead of a long day. Four of our team had set off on previous days and perhaps that was the sensible decision as the majority would be walking for over 12 hours!

The groups set off in three groups and headed for Bewdley before getting on the River Severn. Conditions were difficult due to the recent rain and the river was high. However everyone remained in good spirits and reached our first stop at Hampton Lode (13 miles) in good spirits.

After a quick pint (at 10.30!) we continued north and through Bridgnorth. Some started to struggle through a combination of mud and blisters. We reached our second stop in Jackfield (after 26 miles) around 4pm.

Upon leaving Ironbridge we faced the task of scaling one of the biggest hills we've seen. At this point our walkers started to struggle and split up. We are grateful to our support team of Dave Hall, Laura/Matt Jackson and Pete Gallis for their efforts in making sure everyone was safe and continued.

The first group of walkers arrived just before 7pm with the final group arriving at the ground around 9pm in the dark! We suggested that they may get a lift or give up as they were really struggling but they were adamant they would finish no matter what! Credit to them and all our walkers who pushed themselves through the pain barrier and beyond for such a wonderful cause. (Our walkers are listed below)

The sense of team spirit was evident all day and proves what wonderful supporters our football club has! We are also grateful to the two lads from the Telford fans team who travelled over to walk with us.

So you may think that's enough for one weekend? Well the final morning over half got their football boots on and played for the KHFC Fans Team against their Telford counterparts.

After trailing 1-0 at half time we feared for the worse given the state of everyone. However that fantastic team spirit shone through again and resulted in a 5-1 Harriers victory.

Thank-you to all those that supported us such as local companies CMS Kidderminster, HIRE IT and Bengry Motors. Thanks also to Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Telford.

We will be holding a bucket collection at our bank holiday game with Bristol Rovers. Please donate if you are able to and help us pass £15,000.

A reminder why we walked........

On the 20th June 2014 Charlotte May Pountney was born sleeping at full term. There are no words to describe the pain and devastation. The first few days are so dark and confusing, trying to understand what happened and trying to make decisions that no parent should have to make.

During this time in hospital parents Dave & Beckie were given a keepsake box that was donated to the hospital from the charity Towards Tomorrow Together. The box contained items that are there to help ease the pain and build memories, a photo card, two teddies and two bracelets - one to rest with Charlotte and one for us to keep, a candle, a blanket, poems, helpful information and contacts for people who understood. Rather than focussing on the difficult decisions and discussions, we were able to build some kind memories.

Towards Tomorrow Together provide Worcester Royal, Alexandra and Russells Hall hospitals with keepsake boxes, they also provide a monthly group support meetings. They would however like to expand the charity in order to provide more hospitals with the boxes and offer services on a more individual basis. Everybody copes with things in different ways, the NHS provides counselling services but usually only 6 sessions. Towards Tomorrow Together would like to be able to offer alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and acupressure which are not available on the NHS. These would help with issues such as stress, anxiety and grief.The therapists would be trained by the charity's founder Mel Scott to ensure the therapy is delivered appropriately, the therapists would also be invited to do group sessions on coping strategies.

Another aim is to be able to offer bereaved parents the chance to have a short break to provide important family time and respite. We know how important this opportunity is as we were fortunate to be able to go to Spain for a week and we found that extremely beneficial however not all are able to do so.

Dave & Beckie have been and continue to be helped by this small but very important charity and by doing this walk we hope to be able to help them get their future projects off the ground. Nothing can take away the pain of loosing your child but Towards Tomorrow Together means you don't have to go though it alone.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Unfortunately the charity are waiting for the HMRC/Justgiving to set up gift aid which may take a little time. If you wish to give gift aid then please tick the box asking if you mind the charity contacting you. Once it is set up the charity will contact you. Apologies for the inconeniance.

You can also donate by texting KHFC50 and the amount to 70070

Dave and Beckie Pountney.

Our walkers were : Dave Goode, Stuart Walstrom, Dave Pountney, Beckie Pountney, Mike Cooper, Glyn Lloyd, Dave Mole, John Wagstaff, Gloria Wagstaff,, Michelle Vaughan, Carly Fletcher, Simon Jarrasinski, Ben Gazier, Jon Smith, Martin Lewis, Pete Lewis, Sarah Lewis, Jono Smith, Mark Young, Keith Chandler, Julia Bell, Greg Bell, Andrew Coffield, Steve Thomas, Beckie Thomas, Chris Lacey, Dave Ackerley, Sian Reeson, Dave Williams, Jackie Rutland, Ed Dursley, Ian Danby, Claire Rutland, Josie Blount, Lee Simmo, Adam Guest (Telford)(Telford), Richard Millington, Karl Davies, Andy Morgan, Andy Woodward, Chris Scotford, Mike Peplow, Lisa Clarke, Ian Nash, Phillip Clarke, Ade Ganderton and Ned the Dog.

Thanks also to our support team of Dave Hall, Matt Jackson, Laura Jackson and Pete Gallis.

To find out more about the charity go to their website -  www.towards-tomorrow.com