An Isle of Wight couple who are on a walking pilgrimage to raise money for a national children’s charity received an anonymous £1,000 donation before they had even set off.
Wootton-based contract cleaners Paul and Linda Southwell are to walk 1,248 miles in 90 days from Canterbury to Rome – taking a boat from Dover to Calais.
They set off last Friday (16th May).
It’s all part of a campaign to support the Lily Foundation, who help children with Mitochondrial disease, a rare complex genetic disorder.
The couple, who have 3 grown up children, decided to take up the challenge after being introduced to 3-year-old Teddy Ward, who has the condition and lives nearby. Teddy’s dad Dan is a friend of their son.
The couple had hoped to raise £1,000 between them, but already have over £2,500. You can donate too at https://www.justgiving.com/page/linda-southwell-1727433732344.
Paul, 54, former manager of Wootton Youth Football Club, said:
“We received a thousand pounds completely out of the blue and anonymously. We don’t know who donated the cash but whoever they are, a very big thank you.”
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The Southwells, called Team Teddy, will be camping overnight despite many of Paul’s physical health problems:
“A year ago I couldn’t even walk from Wootton Bridge to Ryde. I had a knee problem and two lots of spine surgery. I recently had an operation on my shoulder. But we’ve been training each weekend by walking more than 15 miles at a time.”
In January 2024, Teddy was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease caused by a rare genetic defect. He is believed to be 1 of only of 55 children in the world with this condition. There is limited research, and unfortunately, no known cure.
