Man walks from Hungerford to Newbury for Sue Ryder in memory of late mother

A Greenham man has walked from Newbury to Hungerford to raise money in memory of his late mother.

Andrew Johnston’s walk raised more than £1,200 for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

The charity supported Mr Johnston and his family when he lost his mother Joan in April 2021 – at the age of 77 – after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Many friends and supporters – and Bella the dog – joined Mr Johnston on his walk, on July 15, despite the harsh winds and rain.

Included in the group of walkers were his friends David Wilcox, Marcus Morgan and Mr Morgan’s daughter India.

The group set out – on foot – on the same weekend the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning but the harsh conditions and fallen trees were no match.

The walk began at Hungerford Train Station and made their way to The Plough on the Green.

“It was a walk to remember,” said Mr Johnston. “It was tremendous though the weather was not good.

“We had to go through fallen trees but we managed to get through them.

“It was windy and it was raining but we did not let that stop us.

“Everything went well and everyone was so supportive.”

As the group reached the pub, they were welcomed by a finish line and balloons.

Mr Johnston thanked Kirstie, Danny and Rob from The Plough on The Green for their efforts.

“I could not have done it on my own,” he said. “The pub was so welcoming to me.

“I want to say thank you for the support to everyone.”

He thanked HALT Print for their work printing his charity t-shirts.

Thanks also went to Sophie and Michael Curtis – Monkton, Phillip and Patricia Smith and the Congerton family for their efforts, help and support.

Mr Johnston also thanked his family.

This isn’t the first time Mr Johnston raised money for Sue Ryder.

He has taken on a charity walk before, raising more than £1,000.

Last year he raised a further £1,331 after standing outside Tesco on Pinchington Lane with a donation bucket.