Joshua plans 24-hour hike following lockdown lifestyle changes

A Chorley man who has been pounding the pavements during lockdown is using his new-found healthy lifestyle to take on a 24-hour hike in support of St Catherine’s Hospice.

Joshua Swindells plans to set off at 6am on March 20 and walk non-stop through the hills of Rivington, White Coppice, Brinscall Woods, Great Hill and Darwen Tower before finishing at 6am the next day.

The 26-year-old sales manager is aiming to raise £1,000 for the charity which cared for his beloved granddad, Granville Bell.

“I decided to start exercising more in January, and with being on furlough, it was a perfect time to start getting steps in,” Joshua explained. “Now I’ve decided to take the opportunity to do something good and give back to a local charity which means a lot to my family.

“It was one of my goals this year to complete a charity challenge, so the timing is perfect. I will be taking food for the day and clothes as necessary as I won’t be returning from the hills for 24 hours.

“I recently did a training day with a 12-hour walk, and overall in February I climbed 35000ft and walked 270 miles.”

Joshua’s granddad, affectionately known as Vino, was referred to the Lostock Hall hospice in July last year after being diagnosed with cancer, and spent his final days there receiving specialist palliative and end-of-life care.

“My family will be forever grateful to St Catherine’s,” Joshua said. “The staff were so amazing and polite, and made my family feel a little more at ease as well as my granddad. He was really at peace and I couldn’t think of a better charity to be raising money for.”

Emily Bate, community engagement officer at St Catherine’s, said: “It’s amazing to hear that Joshua is turning his love of walking into a fundraiser for our cause. We simply wouldn’t be here without the wonderful support of our communities.

“With many of our main income streams such as the shops, The Mill café and our fundraising events unable to operate as normal over the last 12 months, we really rely on the incredible determination and generosity of our supporters to help us raise funds, and we’re so grateful to Joshua for his fantastic efforts.

“We wish him lots of luck on his epic 24-hour hike and can’t wait to see photos and hear what the experience was like once he completes the challenge later this month.”

– To sponsor Joshua, please visit www.justgiving.com/Joshua-Swindells. If you would like to arrange your own event for St Catherine’s Hospice, contact Emily by emailing fundraising@stcatherines.co.uk or calling 01772 629171.

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