Why We Do The Walk

In March, and then December 2002, I lost two good friends of 25 years when they each succumbed in their individual battles against two different forms of cancer. Those friends were Dave Owens, and Frank Goodall.

Dave, Frank, and I enjoyed playing, and then later watching our football with Wheelwright Old Boys Football Club in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. As the ravages of time inevitably overtook us we began to channel our efforts and enthusiasm into organising and playing in veterans matches, both in England and abroad. Sadly, no more! The pace of events in both of their individual circumstances made me realise that any one of us can be only something like six weeks away from being diagnosed with cancer.

Soon after Dave's funeral in December 2002 I was speaking with his widow, Rita. Although still in deep shock she spoke in glowing tones about the Macmillan Nurses and of a small voluntary cancer organisation called the Oesophageal Patients Association based in the West Midlands. She was overwhelmed by the comfort and support both organisations had provided during their darkest times. She also went on to say that the OPA relied totally on day-to-day public donations and that finding the £5-00 it costs to send information and support to people in Dave's situation is a constant struggle.

For some time after, I battled to come to terms with the fact that there are organisations in Britain today striving to help people survive their cancer. However, if the balance tips against them, those same people have to come to terms with their imminent death. To them at this stage of their lives the £5-00 the cancer charity needs is a vital amount of money.

Some weeks later the thought occurred to me that I could raise a bob or two for cancer

charities by attempting the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Walk. Recognising that I might have left it a year or two (or ten) too late to be embarking on a first crack at that famously punishing 26 mile walk I almost dismissed the idea. Fortunately the idea wasn't having any of that.

I realised that rather than go it alone, a planned exercise combining the efforts of Yorkshire Building Services Ltd, together with my old football club Wheelwright Old Boys, could result in a significant amount of money being raised. A date for the first walk was agreed to be 21st June 2003, (the longest day of the year) and the 'Dave Owens & Frank Goodall Memorial Fund' was established.

The people who take part in the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ walk represent a wide cross section of ages, (and also shapes and sizes). Some know they will complete the walk, some hope they will complete the walk, and others know that they will struggle to complete the first peak. However, that does not stop them giving it their best shot for this excellent cause.

To manage our receipts, a bank account is set up under the name 'Dave Owens & Frank Goodall Memorial Fund'. All of the benefits we receive from our efforts go towards the nominated charities. No expenses are paid to anybody. The charities we currently support are:-

1. Marie Curie Cancer Care
(Research Institute)
2. Macmillan Cancer Relief
3. Oesophageal Patients Association
4. Cancer Research UK

My intention is simply to raise as much money as possible for these charities. I hope that with the help of all our walkers and their valued sponsors, together with our corporate sponsors we will be able to continue to make substantial donations to these worthy causes.

Gerard Mitchell

Event Organiser

The Dave Owens and Frank Goodall Memorial Fund sponsored walk across the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales is the idea of Gerard Mitchell who decided to raise funds to support cancer charities following the death of two of his close friends shown alongside.

The following is a note from Gerard, who first organised the walk in May 2003, and is the principal event organiser.