Gruelling Hope for Heather walking challenge completed

Downham duo Chris Heyes and Andy Lucraft-Townley completed their 250-mile walk from Arbuckles to The Cardiff City Stadium.

The pair completed the gruelling challenge to fundraise for Heather Bellamy who has a rare type of leukaemia, which will require treatment in America.

A total in the region of £57,000 has been raised so far for the cause.

Having been joined by Matty and Callum Ryan for the last leg of the journey, the group were greeted by family and friends at the stadium ahead of Cardiff’s fixture against Liverpool on Sunday.

The pair took the opportunity to have a photo with Josh Murphy, whose father used to own Arbuckles, and who donated £5,000 for the Hope for Heather campaign.

Posting on Facebook, the pair said: “Wow, it’s been a long gruelling, emotionally, physically and mentally draining 10 days.

“The final day was more of a gentle 11-mile stroll which was lovely.

“We would just like to say a massive thank you to everybody that has followed our story, shared our posts, left us messages of encouragement and donated. We really couldn’t have done it without you all.”

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/chris-and-andy-head-to-cardiff.