Greenham man raises more than £1,500 for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice

A Greenham man has raised more than £1,500 for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

Andrew Johnston has been raising funds for the charity who supported him and his family when his mother Joan was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Joan died in April 2021 at the age of 77 and her son said the charity went “over and beyond” to make his life easier – while in the midst of the pandemic.

Ever since experiencing this loss, Mr Johnston has walked, shaken charity buckets and raised awareness for the bereavement charity.

Recently he raised £1,558.25 following a charity walk from Newbury to Hungerford.

And 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.

He presented the charity with the latest cheque at the weekend (Saturday) and said he was proud of his achievement.

“I know my mum is looking down on me from heaven and I know she is proud of me.

“It’s overwhelming, the generosity and everyone coming together.

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

They also surprised him with a signed card and bottle of champagne.

Mr Johnston said he could not have achieved what he has without the support of those who joined him, donated or helped him along this journey.

“We worked as a team,” he said.

“I could not have done it without the support of the people behind me.

“I love what I do for Sue Ryder and I want to keep doing it.

“I will be continuing and will do another collection in December.”