Epic charity walk across Norfolk featuring Norwich City legend Grant Holt culminates tonight

An epic 150-mile journey across Norfolk to raise money for charity will culminate tonight.

Starting on Wednesday in Lynn, former Norwich City footballer Grant Holt has been leading a group of walkers on a lengthy walk to the city.

Walking day and night, the challenge will conclude in dramatic style as the group walks onto the pitch at Carrow Road ahead of Norwich’s match against Portsmouth this evening.

The challenge, powered by Arc Group, was conceived by Richard Pearce of Barclays Wealth, Canaries legend Holt, and Adam Miller from Arc Group.

It is raising funds for the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, which uses the power of sport to support and inspire the community, and the Big C Cancer Charity, which supports anyone affected by cancer in Norfolk and surrounding counties.

For many of the walkers, these are causes very close to their heart.

“It’s so personal,” says Mr Miller said.

“Big C helped my family and I so much when dad was ill. They organised and facilitated my sister’s wedding in the hospital so dad could walk my sister down the aisle. They are truly amazing.”

“The Community Sports Foundation is the heartbeat of the community,” Sean Garrihy said.

“All the work it does to improve people’s lives both physically or mentally and, in some cases, it’s the lifeline that many people and families need to get through the day or week.”

This fundraiser follows on from a virtual 150-mile challenge which the two charities held in February and March, encouraging people to complete 150 miles of their own.

“Both charities deliver outstanding support and facilities to our local area,” Mr Pearce said.

“The breadth and reach of the work they do is remarkable and it’s an honour to play a small role in supporting the positive outcomes and difference they make to our community.”

In a joint statement, Emma Fletcher-Dungay, head of fundraising at the Community Sports Foundation and Tom Holmes, events and engagement manager at Big C, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate on the 150-mile challenge, an inspiring initiative that unites our community to make a real difference.

“This partnership between the Community Sports Foundation and Big C highlights the power of teamwork, raising vital funds to transform lives through sport and provide essential care and support for those affected by cancer.

“Together, we can achieve something extraordinary in Norfolk.”