Andy’s peak practise

ANDY WRIGHT . . . determined to raise money for a cause close to his heart

Father’s warm-up for attempt on Britain’s highest mountain is 96-mile charity trek

A FATHER-OF-TWO is lacing up his walking boots and heading to the Highlands to raise funds for a charity close to his heart.

Andy Wright (48), from Brookfield Avenue, Royton, is in training for the 96-mile West Highland Way trek in aid of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust.

His mother and his mother-in-law, who are in their sixties, have suffered from the degenerative condition for the past six years.

He is hoping to raise £2,000 for the charity which looks into the causes and treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Mr Wright said: “Alzheimer’s is devastating, and it affects everyone differently.

“Luckily, my mum gets a lot of support from her 10 children and my mother-in-law is cared for in her own flat. It would mean a lot to me to raise the money because every bit helps.”

Mr Wright, whose main sponsor is Booths Garden Centre in Royton, starts his seven-day trek on August 1 from Milngavie, East Dumbartonshire.

He will then be walking a maximum of 20 miles every day, stopping overnight at bed-and-breakfast accommodation paid for by himself.

Even after reaching his final destination of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, the walking does not end as he will be scaling the 4,409ft high Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, as a personal challenge.

He said: “I’ve wanted to do this walk ever since a friend completed it two years ago.

“I’m walking 15 miles a week to get in training and even walked 25 miles over a bank holiday weekend. I’ve been all over, from Clitheroe and Burnley to Derbyshire and Dovestone.

“I’m confident I can do it and all my family are really pleased and proud of me — they know I’m strong-willed and determined.”

Any individual or business interested in making a donation can call 061-628 8823 or visit www.justgiving.com/andywright77

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “Seven hundred thousand people in the UK live with dementia — 2,300 in Oldham alone, and this will double in the next generation.

“It is crucial that we support research that will provide us with the treatments we desperately need to combat this devastating condition.”

In addition to asking the people of Oldham to sponsor Andy’s walk, the Alzheimers Research Trust is asking the town’s MPs to sign a Parliamentary motion in support of dementia research.

Visit www.dementiaresearch.org.uk