Middleton man is taking steps to help those less fortunate

A 71-year-old man from Middleton is set to walk more than 100 miles across the county to raise thousands for those “not as fortunate” as him.

Ray Stevens will trek 122 miles around Norfolk over a six day period in July to fundraise for the Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House.

Ray believes that he is lucky, having recovered from cancer four years ago and then from surgery when he was found to have a twisted bowel last year.

“I consider myself very fortunate to still be on the planet,” he said.

Ray said he is raising funds for Tapping House in Hillington, which provides palliative care to those living with a life-shortening illness, as “the people in there are not quite as fortunate”.

He hopes to raise £2,000 for the hospice, and with £1,800 gathered so far from door-to-door collections, he looks likely to reach his target, but there is still a way to go yet.

The fundraiser’s route will take him from Middleton to Litcham, Bawdeswell, Sheringham, Wells, Hunstanton, Sandringham and back home.

Each day he will walk about 20 miles, before taking an overnight break at his various stop-off points.

Ray is not new to fundraising though, having taken on similar challenges in the past for good causes.

“When I had the cancer operation I did a sponsored walk for the ward I was in,” he said.

“I quite like walking, I do a fair bit of it. The surgeons told me that walking helps with the recovery.”

If you would like to sponsor Ray’s fundraising walk, go to www.norfolkhospice.org.uk/fundraisers/raymonds-fundraising-walk.