Loyal fans complete long haul for cause

Sep 9 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN fans are loyal to their team and to one another - and Alan Boothroyd is no exception.

When he heard his friend, cancer patient Keith Stringer, was planning a fundraising charity walk, he offered to do a 35-mile run in support.

Alan, of Newsome, ran from Berry Brow to Langsett Reservoir while Keith, 46, trekked five miles around the reservoir near Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire with 100 family and friends from Armitage Bridge Working Men's Club.

Keith, from Berry Brow, is raising cash for St James's Hospital in Leeds, where he has been treated.

And he is being backed by Huddersfield Town sponsors the Yorkshire Building Society.

The walk around the reservoir was the latest in a series of challenges for Keith, which have included conquering the highest peaks of England, Scotland and Wales - Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon- despite suffering liver, lung and bowel cancer.

He was first diagnosed with cancer in October 2003 and has undergone chemotherapy and operations over 18 months.

Keith said: "Everybody was sponsored so we will raise a lot of money.

"There was a great turnout and everyone was in very high spirits.

"The weather kept fine and it's a beautiful place to walk so you really couldn't ask for more. We've had a great response from local businesses too who helped us out with fundraising and donated cash."

Keith said special praise should go to Alan.

"It was a great effort by him," he said.

"When he got back to Armitage Bridge WMC everyone clapped him in.

"It was a very good day and I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who made it possible."