THERE'S no need to go all the way to London to do a marathon - a Todmorden man has walked 26 miles in the comfort of his home, day care centre and throughout the town to raise money for charity.
Ernest Rowland, of Ashenhurst, Todmorden, who has had to learn how to walk again following a stroke in February last year, donned a pedometer and walked 26-miles over a two month period to raise over £200 for Age Concern Calderdale.
"I'll always r
emember the date I had my stroke; it was the day before Valentine's Day - but I got a few Valentine's cards when I was in hospital," joked Ernest, who attends the Age Concern Calderdale day care centre at St John Ambulance Hall, Victoria Road, Todmorden, three days a week.
"I had to learn how to walk again and in the hospital in Rossendale I did a ten mile sponsored walk up and down the corridor, which gave me the idea for this event. I raised £130 for the rehabilitation centre at the hospital with that event."
Ernest's sense of humour and large family, of four children, 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, have kept him going and encouraged him in his charity fundraising. Age Concern have also awarded him a medal for his efforts.
Andrew Ferney, who works for Age Concern, ran the London Marathon this year in four hours and 35 minutes raising over £6,000 for the charity.
The full article contains 247 words and appears in Todmorden News newspaper.
