Group Walks The Towpath To Remember Lost Friend

25 Mile Thames Trek Aims to Raise Funds for Cancer Research UK

A group of Chiswick friends will be joined by a local scout troop when they walk the Thames Towpath in memory of their friend Simon Kelly who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

The walk, on Friday 6th October, will start from Greenwich and end approximately 25 miles later in Chiswick.

One member of the group said "Regardless of the British weather, we will be taking on the Thames Path to raise money for Cancer Research UK. OK - not the entire 180 mile walk from source to sea in one day!  Only slightly less ambitiously we'll walk the 25 mile stretch from the Thames Barrier to Kew bridge. (That potentially means passing 30+ pubs without a beer.)

"The timing and type of event are not a co-incidence. Our friend Simon died of cancer earlier this year. Over the years we have been on many walks with Simon - mountains and mud in Switzerland and lake district, pub crawls and expeditions through London and Frankfurt, even a walk round the block could be an event. Whilst our memories are personal, cancer is indiscriminate. The money we raise will contribute to preventing and treating other cancer sufferers"

Another said "In part to gain some closure in our own minds and in part to give something back to help prevent a repeat of this tragedy a few of Simon's friends are undertaking this walk.  Please make a contribution to Cancer Research via the link.  This will ease our blistered feet and make the first cold lager taste a little sweeter.!"

Simon Kelly and his brothers, Robin and Graham grew up in Chiswick, on Wavendon Road. He went to Chiswick school and was a member of the 4th/21st Chiswick Scout Group.

Simon then moved to Frankfurt for work, but made regular visits back to Chiswick, staying in touch with his old friends, and supporting Fulham FC.

Had he not been suddenly hit by cancer earlier this year he would have turned 37 in October.

October 5, 2006