A man from Aylesbury embarked on a unique trek to raise vital funds for charity as he decided to do a task that not many people had done.
Chris Turton, 49, who works in Lane End, opted to walk to every single EFL club’s stadium in London in support of Kit Aid, a British-based charity that sends surplus football shirts to the most impoverished areas of Africa.
He started his challenge on Wednesday, March 20 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium before heading clockwise around the capital – a task that was eventually completed in the late afternoon of Friday, March 22.
After starting at the home of his beloved Gunners’, he headed over to their local neighbours and arch-rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, before walking several miles to Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road, West Ham United’s London Stadium, Charlton Athletic’s the Valley, and the Den, which is the home of Millwall.
The opening day saw the lightbulb salesman walk roughly 27 miles and produce nearly 59,000 steps.
He told the Free Press: “It’s without doubt one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Up bright and early to grab the train to London, before I start my charity walk around the London football grounds - starting at the Emirates for Kitaid #kitaid #Arsenal @IanWright0 @PaulMerse @1kevincampbell @9smudge pic.twitter.com/3DEpE05Txv
— Chris Turton (@turts6) March 20, 2024
“At first, you don’t think about it but after a while, you feel it physically and by the end of the second day, my feet were in a world of pain.
“It was tough but 100 per cent worthwhile.
“Kit Aid is a brilliant charity and the work they do to help kids and adults in Africa shouldn’t be ignored.
“The smiles on their faces when they see a shirt come their way is brilliant."
The second day saw the Arsenal fan return to Millwall to then walk south towards Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace), then to Gander Green Lane (Sutton), Plough Lane (AFC Wimbledon) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea).
It only might have been four stadiums to visit, but these were some of the longest walks of the challenge, with the trek between Palace and Sutton lasting nearly three hours.
CONGRATULATIONS and thanks to @turts6 @James_BFP for a gruelling 3 days and 67 miles
— KitAid (@KitAid) March 22, 2024
They made it to the Bobby Moore statue at 3-52pm
Blisters, bandaged foot and cramp all for KitAid
Please add to their sponsorship if you can pic.twitter.com/pTFDb179dX
However, upon finishing for the night in West London, Chris felt positive for the final day which saw him walk from Chelsea to Fulham (Craven Cottage), to Brentford (Community Stadium), to Queens Park Rangers (Loftus Road), before completing the walk at Wembley Stadium.
CONGRATULATIONS and thanks to @turts6 @James_BFP for a gruelling 3 days and 67 miles
— KitAid (@KitAid) March 22, 2024
They made it to the Bobby Moore statue at 3-52pm
Blisters, bandaged foot and cramp all for KitAid
Please add to their sponsorship if you can pic.twitter.com/pTFDb179dX
During this time, £1,292 was raised for the charity, beating the initial target of £1,000.
Chris added: “It’s an experience I won’t forget in a hurry.
“I saw so many things on the walk that I wouldn’t have seen if I took a car or used the Underground.
A massive congratulations to @turts6 @James_BFP on reaching their target of raising £1,000 for KitAid.
— KitAid (@KitAid) March 21, 2024
They are dead on their feet and still have @FulhamFC @BrentfordFC @QPR to visit before all roads lead to Wembley
Please keep supporting them pic.twitter.com/ivc1PqvVMj
“The strangers were brilliant, the sights from a distance were great, and the people who looked after us were fantastic.
“It was a brilliant experience and I’m glad I’ve done it.”
To donate to the cause, go to www.justgiving.com/page/chris-turton-james-andteam1705612763068.
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