A WYTHALL couple and their children are walking the distance from Birmingham to Blackpool in the hope of raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Emma and Paul Heath are walking three miles every day for four weeks in fancy dress to raise funds for the charity.
Inspired by their uncle, John McDonough, who is currently undergoing treatment for stage four bowel cancer, the Heath’s will walk 120 miles in total – the equivalent of Birmingham to Blackpool.
Emma said: “It came from me saying shall I dress up in fancy dress because people notice it.
“A lot of people don’t do as much fund-raising anymore because there are charity shops, collection buckets or the race for life.
“It’s all great but I think it’s sometimes nice to do something a bit different.”
Pinocchio Fancy Dress, a local shop, has provided the family with free costumes.
Emma added: “We are in the beginning of the second week, so far we have been pirates and this week we are Snow White and the prince.
“The next two will be Indians and Yodelers and on Halloween we are going to dress up in something Halloween themed.”
The 23-year-old husband and wife team are walking every day and will be joined by their eight-month-old daughter Jasmin and their two-year-old son Jensen at weekends.
Emma’s uncle, mom and dad will also join them on other occasions along planned routes including the Maypole and the Wythall Bovis estate.
Paul added: “It’s a good way to keep fit, to get out, have a bit of fun and it’s all for a good cause.”
The Heath’s aim to increase awareness of the costs of cancer treatments and to raise £500 to ‘give a little bit back’ to those who are working so hard.
One week of chemotherapy for their uncle alone costs £12,000 whilst developing a new cancer drug can cost more than £1 billion.
John McDonough, 42, said: “It’s really kind and brilliant that they are doing something for Cancer Research and that they’re supporting me means the world.”
The family also have plans to go shopping in Solihull in fancy dress.
Visit http://tinyurl.com/puhtl69 to make a donation or pop into local shops, such as Hollywood Pharmacy, to donate to a collection box.
