By Jonathan White, photos supplied with permission
Local businessman David Smyth successfully completed the 192-mile Coast to Coast Walk in aid of Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK.
David, aged 61, who is one of the directors at the Crewe-based car dealer group and one of the main sponsors of the Dabbers, Swansway Motor Group, raised a fantastic £11,412.00 for his chosen charity, Cancer Research UK.
Taking on the walk alongside his two friends, the challenge saw David start his walk in St Bees, Cumbria, before taking in views of three national parks – the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, before finishing in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire.
David’s most challenging days took place in the first week of the walk, tackling the highest peak and the longest day in succession. Making the 16-mile journey from Glenridding to Shap, this saw the group take on lots of hills, including Kidsty Pike – the highest peak – a 780m Wainright. The following day saw the group walk 20.5 miles from Shap to Kirkby Stephen.
Speaking of the walk, David said: “It was a fantastic experience, getting to meet new people and take in the beautiful views of the English countryside, all whilst raising money for an important cause.”
Initially setting his fundraising target at £1,000, David was overwhelmed at the support he received over the course of the challenge, raising over ten times what he initially set out to do. Before he’d even taken his first steps, David had received a number of generous donations, putting him at over £3,000 on the first day of the challenge. Amazed by the kindness of those who had donated, this spurred David on to raise as much money as possible, and since then he has added over £8,000 to the overall total.
A representative from Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK said: “We would like to thank David very much for raising such a large amount for CRUK. Together we are beating cancer.”
David presented the cheque from his fundraising walk to Neil Fearn and Margaret Grindrod from Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK at Wistaston Memorial Hall in November prior to a monthly committee meeting (main photo)
Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK meet on the first Tuesday of every month at Wistaston Memorial Hall on Church Lane in Wistaston CW2 8ER.
For further information relating to Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK, please visit: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/do-your-own-fundraising/local-fundraising-groups/crewe-nantwich-local-committee