A MAN is planning to walk 40 miles along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to raise money for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

Richard Stuttard will be carrying out the walk, which he hopes to do in under 24 hours, on Saturday, July 25, just after his 40th birthday and in memory of his father, David, who was cared for at the Oxenhope hospice before he died in May.

Richard, who lives in Haworth, will start his walk in Riddlesden, and will walk to East Marton, site of the famous ‘double bridge’, before turning around and heading back.

He said: “The care provided by the whole team at Manorlands during the five weeks my dad was there was absolutely amazing and I genuinely do not know what we would have done without them. This was not just medical and practical care, but incredible emotional care shown to both my dad and to me during an unbelievably sad time.

“The most positive thing I feel I can do is try to raise some desperately needed money to help keep the hospice running. The Covid-19 crisis is having a devastating impact on its funding and I would be extremely grateful for any donations to this important cause.”

Hayley Ibbotson, senior community fundraiser said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Richard for taking on this incredible fundraising challenge in memory of his dad. During this challenging time we urgently need ongoing public support to continue to be there when it matters for patients and their loved ones.”

Richard has currently raised £3,000 for the hospice through his 40th birthday challenge. To donate to his fundraising total, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-stuttard