Back in 2018, Conor Mahoney walked 27 miles from Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium back to Huddersfield Town’s John Smith’s Stadium to raise funds for The Kirkwood. Four years on from raising £4,103 he has decided to take on an even bigger challenge with friends and family.
To coincide with Town’s home game against West Brom, Conor and pals from The Crown Scissett Sunday Football League team, will be walking 94 miles non-stop – and without sleep – from West Brom’s stadium, The Hawthorns, back to the John Smith’s Stadium in time for kick-off today (Saturday August 27).
Big Town fan Conor is raising funds for The Kirkwood to support the charity which cared for his step mum, Kae Mahoney, when she died of cancer aged 44 in 2018.
Conor, 22, of Clayton West, said he was relishing the challenge and added: “While thinking of ideas to follow on from our first walk in 2018, I wanted to blow it out the water and challenge myself and the lads as much as I could whilst keeping it relevant to Town.
“To walk 94 miles over a couple days is some task in itself, however that wasn’t enough for me, so we’re going to do it with no sleep over 30 or so continuous hours, including walking through the night.
“I can’t wait for the moment when we reach the stadium back in Huddersfield, not only to give the legs a rest, but I also don’t think the feeling of completing the walk will be quite like anything I or we as a group have experienced before.
“It’ll probably be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and we’ll face both physical and mental challenges throughout. I couldn’t ask for a better set of lads to take on this challenge with as I know we’ll push each other on through those tough periods.”
Conor said The Kirkwood was a special place and recalled what happened to his step mum.
“Back in late 2018, Kae suddenly fell ill and was diagnosed with cancer which grew and took over her body very quickly. Only 44 years young, and having fallen poorly incredibly quickly, she spent her last week or so in The Kirkwood’s care, and we as a family couldn’t have asked for a better place for her to spend her final days.
“It’s such a special place, and to be able to play a small part in helping those in need means so much. Having this kind of charity here is massive for the local community.”
Conor initially set a target to raise £500 and promised to dye his hair silver if the total reached £1,000. At the time of publication the fundraising total was around £1,500!
Visit Conor’s donation page HERE
