Scarborough youngster raises £5,000 for Saint Catherine's in his dad's memory

A kind-hearted youngster from Staxton, near Scarborough, has raised £5,000 for Saint Catherine's after walking 111 miles during January in memory of his dad.
Walter McNeil, 6, and his mum Juliet.Walter McNeil, 6, and his mum Juliet.
Walter McNeil, 6, and his mum Juliet.

Walter McNeil age six, lost his dad Paul two years ago and after talking to his mum Juliet, they decided to raise money for Saint Catherine’s by taking on a walking challenge.

Originally, the target was 50 miles but he just kept on going and got to 111.

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Juliet explained: “We do like going for a walk and thought why don’t we raise a bit of money while we’re doing it.

"Walter was so little when Paul was in Saint Catherine’s, so he doesn’t remember too much about it, so we talk about it and I tell him how well his daddy was looked after.”

Paul was 38 and had been battling cancer for two and a half years.

He passed away on January 6, 2019.

Walter, a pupil at Hertford Vale School, said: “I want to raise some money for Saint Catherine's Hospice because they really looked after my daddy and I want to help them.”

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Juliet said that as soon as she put the idea on Facebook, the response was amazing.

Walter's initial target was £100 - but Saint Catherine's are blown away by his "incredible" achievement and grateful for his efforts in raising such a huge sum via Facebook and Just Giving.

Juliet added: “I’m just so proud of him. So many people have said how well he’s doing and how proud Paul would have been of him too.

“We appreciate all the donations so much – it’s a difficult time and there’s not much money going around.

"It’s amazing that so many people have donated.”

Click here if you would like to sponsor him.

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