FAMILIES and friends of soldiers Daniel Wilford and Anton Frampton joined the Mayor of Kirklees for the final miles of his charity walk in their memory.
Clr David Ridgway battled driving wind and rain yesterday to complete his 72-mile circular walk of the Kirklees Way at Marsden.
Clr Ridgway was accompanied by the friends and families of Pte Wilford and Pte Frampton on the last stage of the mayor’s charity walk which is expected to raise thousands for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Trust (YRBT).
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Pte Wilford, 21, of Cowlersley, Pte Frampton, 20, of Longwood, and Cpl Jake Hartley, 20, of New Mill, died in March alongside three comrades, when their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a Taliban improvised explosive device.
Also joining Clr Ridgway, who picked YRBT as his mayoral charity, was Marsden Silver Prize Band, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney and soldiers from the Territorial Army.
Clr Ridgway, who completed the walk in stages over nine weeks, was also joined by the soldiers’ relatives on other stages of the journey which passed through Scammonden, Lindley, Bradley, Birkenshaw, Batley, Dewsbury, Lower Cumberworth and Hepworth.
He said: “The easiest walk was today but it was in the worst conditions.
“Some of the walks are spectacularly good. It’s a massively unpublicised route.
“When these lads died earlier in the year we saw the dignity demonstrated by their families.
“The whole thing is so exceptionally emotional and it just seemed to fit. It really gets me.
“I have enjoyed today. It’s been absolutely fantastic.”
Completing the final stage of the walk yesterday was Pte Wilford’s aunt Susan Clarke.
Ms Clarke said: “It’s been a good day but the weather could have been better.
“It is emotional. We don’t enjoy walking anyway, but it’s what we’re doing it for that counts.
“Daniel would be so, so proud and I’m sure he was there pushing us on even when we were struggling.
“As soon as we found out Clr Ridgway was doing this for the Yorkshire Regiment both me and Anton’s mum and sister wanted to get involved and we’ve been involved ever since, and we’re involved with everything he’s going to do over the next months.”
