Production line employee Jim Smith has completed a marathon long distance charity walk in memory of his father – raising hundreds of pounds.
Jim, 32, of Uttoxeter, walked the 92 mile Staffordshire Way non-stop from Mow Cop on the Cheshire border to Kinver Edge on the Worcestershire border for the mental health charity MIND in memory of his dad and JCB employee, Bob Smith, who tragically took his own life in 2012.
Now JCB has boosted his appeal by donating £500 – taking the total raised to almost £2,000.
Jim said: “I had hoped to complete the walk in 36 hours but in the end it took 61 hours because it was so tough on my feet. It was extremely hard going and in some places the paths which supposedly form part of the Staffordshire Way completely disappeared. I am so pleased to have completed the walk though because it was something me and my dad had talked about doing together. I’m grateful to everyone who has donated to the appeal and raised so much money.”
Jim’s had hoped to complete the walk with fellow JCB work colleague Ben Murphy, 31, of Tean, who both work on JCB’s backhoe loader production line at the World Headquarters in Rocester. But Ben had to retire and become part of the support team when sore feet meant he could no longer continue. His place was taken by Jim’s partner Rhian Williams.
Bob was a highly-respected and popular figure at JCB where he worked for the Backhoe Loader business unit in the manufacturing department for over 30 years.
To make a donation visit Jim and Ben's just giving website at www.justgiving.com/marchofthemullet