MP and local hero raise more than £3,000 on charity walk

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders and local fundraiser Freddie Wing generated more than £3,000 after completing an 80-mile walk along Cheshire’s historic canal network.

The five-day challenge, in aid of the Backford-based Hospice of the Good Shepherd and two Alzheimer’s charities, began and ended at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.

The pair camped at canal-side stops and their route took in landmarks including Chester City Walls, Beeston Castle and the Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich.

Mr Madders described the trek as a tough physical challenge, adding:

“A huge thank you to everyone who hosted us and supported our good causes along the way.”

“We had fun and some memorable experiences.”

They were joined in Middlewich by Mid Cheshire Labour MP Andrew Cooper and welcomed in Northwich by Mayor Julie Macdonald, before a warm reception at the finish line from Ellesmere Port Mayor Katie Kendrick.

The charities are especially close to Freddie’s heart. A proud grandad and Armed Forces veteran, the 63-year-old previously worked as a care home caretaker, where he saw first-hand the difference compassionate care can make.

Freddie, from Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port, said:

“It was hard going at times, but we achieved what we set out to do – raising money and awareness for these great causes.”

Justin Caroe, from the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, thanked them for their efforts, saying their support helps sustain the charity’s vital end-of-life care.

Simon McDermott, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“The donation will help us continue our work to change the lives of people affected by dementia by funding groundbreaking research into how we diagnose, treat and prevent the disease.”

Pictured - Freddie Wing and Justin Madders MP with a thank you letter from the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.