Family walk for Freddie raises £360

An Orpington man and his determined granddaughter took part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Freddie Farmer Foundation charity last weekend.

Allan Day walked from Orpington Hospital to Trafalgar Square on July 24. He was joined for the final stretch by his granddaughter, Nicole Seare, who was unable to do the whole walk because of a walking problem.

“She was really distraught when she realised we couldn’t do the whole walk together,” said Allan “but then we came to the conclusion that she could join me for the last few miles. We met at Westminster Bridge and walked together as a family to Trafalgar Square. It was wonderful.”

13 year old Nicole had been thinking about fundraising for a charity ever since hearing a radio advertisement about Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

“It took a lot of going over,” she said “but I finally figured out that I wanted to do a sponsored walk for people with illnesses who might not have as bright a future as me.

“My grandad had done a charity walk a couple of years ago so I thought he’d be the best person to help!

“A few days before the walk we visited the Freddie Farmer physiotherapy centre and met the wonderful Karen who organised a tour around the centre, by the end we didn’t want to leave!

“We had a remarkable experience seeing the physiotherapy rooms and I even saw Freddie Farmer and his mum and some of the wonderful staff.

“The Freddie Farmer Foundation helps children with cerebral palsy and mobility problems.”

Karen Smith from the Freddie Farmer Foundation said: “It was lovely to meet Allan and Nicole and show them around the centre. Their support means the world to us.”

Nicole is already planning her next fundraiser for Freddie, a 24 hour sponsored silence.

“I hope to raise a lot of money too!” said Nicole.