Miles of Smiles: Carers charity walk keep Thatcham man with motor neurone disease smiling

Two carers from Thatcham are going the extra mile to help put a smile on the face of a local man with motor neurone disease.

Their client, Colin Wilkes, has been living with the rare condition for seven years and was left feeling positively emotional when he discovered a charity walk was to take place in an attempt to cheer him up.

The Miles of Smiles walk, organised by carers Dee Gunning and Trudy Churcher, is a bid to raise funds for an MND charity, as well as raising awareness and to keep Mr Wilkes smiling.

Mr Wilkes said: “When Dee and Trudy said they would like to organise a walk for MND I was quite emotional. What a lovely thing to do.

“My carers are amazing, and we have a lot of laughter together.

“MND has taken most things from me but, fortunately, not my wicked sense of humour which puts a lighter note on things when I’m struggling physically.”

The two women, who work for Care Partners in Newbury, have organised the 20k sponsored walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal on May 22.

It is to start in Hungerford and finish at The Swan pub in Thatcham.

Professional carer Ms Gunning said: “We wanted to do something to cheer Colin up. MND is a horrible condition and it’s sad that he is having to go through this.”

The pair have already started preparing themselves by walking three times a week to get in shape. They have even got work colleagues to join the cause and they hope to acquire around 30 entrants.

They hope to raise £5,000, which is to go towards the MND Association Reading and West Berkshire branch – which has been supporting Mr Wilkes.

Mr Wilkes said he was “delighted” to see that funds will go towards the local branch.

He said: “The branch is run by trained volunteers who can visit you at home. I found this very comforting, particularly after diagnosis when you think your life has fallen apart.

“Another example of the help the branch has given me, was it sourced a used mobility scooter for me.

"That gave me so much freedom and allowed me to continue taking Bella my dog out and meeting people in the process.”

Ms Gunning and Ms Churcher say they still need to find a venue for a pit stop in Newbury where walkers can fill up their water bottles, use toilet facilities and re-fuel with some pastries.

To join the cause and walk with the carers, visit Kennet & Avon 20 km Walk | Facebook

Donations can also be made at https://bit.ly/3BZtUvS