'They really looked after my daddy': Walter, 6, walks 111 miles for charity in memory of dad Paul

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

Juliet said: “Walter has done amazingly well with his walking challenge. He has managed to walk 111 miles from the 7th to 31st January and has raised over £3,000 – with more to come in!

“He has really enjoyed it and we’re so glad to have been able to raise some money.”

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 has smashed his initial target of £100 ... and of walking 50 miles!

“We just couldn’t believe it. I keep reading all the messages to him and he sits there with a big smile on his face," said Juliet.

“I’m just so proud of him. So many people have said how well he did 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.”

Susan Stephenson, communications and marketing manager at Saint Catherine’s, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Walter – he ended up more than doubling his walking target of 50 miles and has raised an incredible amount, which will all go towards looking after patients and their families at a time when they need it the most.

"We are all very proud of you at the hospice – well done and thank you so much.”

You can still sponsor Walter, visit HERE.