Destination Dover
Stepping Out In Memory Of Michael | |||
 | Most people who were considering a journey from Farnham to Dover would either use a car or public transport and arrive at their destination in a matter of hours. It's the intrepid - or perhaps foolhardy - few who would contemplate pulling on a pair of walking boots and covering the entire distance on foot. Yet that's what a group of fundraisers did in June - trekking 131 miles, which amounted to 43 hours and 34 minutes of walking. The marathon fundraising trek was organised in memory of a young man who radiated happiness and was an inspiration to people who battle adversity."Destination Dover 2008 " was planned to salute the memory of 19-year-old Michael Proctor, who died from a heart condition. Despite having Down's Syndrome, heart problems and a multitude of other medical problems, Michael, of Bridgemary, Hampshire, was known for having a real zest for life. He taught the people he met that life was to be lived with a smile. Statistics show that around one in three babies with Down's Syndrome has a congenital heart defect, which may require surgery. | ||
| Michael had atrio-ventricular septal defect with the associated pulmonary hypertension together with Eisenmenger's Syndrome. When he was 19 years and 4 months, he passed away suddenly at home. He hadn't been ill and he'd had a lovely Sunday, full of laughter and happiness, but tragically he didn't wake up the following morning. Wessex Heartbeat will benefit from half of the funds raised, and the other 50% is to go towards the provision of specialist play equipment at Michael's school, St Francis Special School in Fareham.The main organiser of Destination Dover 2008 was Jeremy Fox, who first met Michael back in 2003 through his work as a community carer. "I looked after him for an hour each weekday morning and I can honestly say that he was a special young man who taught me some valuable lessons just by being himself. "He was an inspiration - a complete one-off and I came to care for him deeply," added Jeremy, who lives in Gosport with his wife and young son. |  Michael celebrating his 16th birthday at Discovery Cove, Florida, alongside his sister Dale. | ||
With the formation of his charity walking group, Footprints, Jeremy wanted to leave an indelible mark on two causes that were close to Michael's heart. The five walkers who stepped out in his memory were: Jeremy Fox, Ian Buzzard, Roger Labrum, Colin Rogers and Howard Baldwin. They also paid tribute to their support team and their major sponsors, The Oast and Squire at Fareham, which is part of the Beefeater chain. Jeremy commented afterwards: "We navigated our way through overgrown fields, got lost three times, and enjoyed fabulous views of central London, the Weald and the distant South Downs. "We shared fields with all manner of animals including sheep, cows, horses rabbits and foxes and struggled with a variety of terrains. "But we completed the task of walking the entire length of the North Downs Way National Trail, arriving triumphantly in Dover on Sunday June 8 around 2.15 p.m., having set off from Farnham early the previous Monday morning." |
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| Anyone who would still like to make a donation is asked to visit www.destinationdover.btik.com for more details. | |||
