Volkswagen Van Centre Stoke helps ex-Marine's epic walk
Imperial Commercials Volkswagen Van Centre Stoke are helping an Ex-Royal Marine Glenn Lowe on his epic journey next week which will take nearly a month to complete.
The Stoke Van Centre have kindly donated a Transporter Combi for the duration of the walk to support with kit and emergency supplies. Glenn who could only walk 20 metres a year ago will lead a 450-mile hike to raise £100,000 for Help for Heroes charity.
Glenn Lowe, who has asbestosis, was planning to run the Pennine Way in aid of Help for Heroes when he was diagnosed with the lung condition. It left him classed as disabled, but he was determined to take on the feat.
So on Bank Holiday Monday, he will go against doctors advice and begin the walk, leading 200 people along the way. The group is expected to raise £100,000.
Glenn, of Sittons Close, Sound, Crewe, said: "I was planning to run the Pennine Way before I got diagnosed and for a while, I thought Id never be able to do anything again.
"I felt down and miserable but then decided I would walk it instead.”
The 56-year-old spent five years as a Royal Marine until 1975, in many far flung places. After that, he spent 10 years living in Africa, before moving back to the UK, where he went into work in the building trade. It was there that he came into contact with asbestos but it was only five years ago that he began suffering health problems from it.
Glenn started off with a bad chest but two years later, his breathing was so bad he found it hard to get out of bed. He was diagnosed in November 2009.
Glenn said: "Once they know you have got asbestosis, they can never make it better, but they can stop it getting worse. I have achieved a lot with my health over the last 12 months. This is going to do me as much good as the lads we are raising money for."
Since beginning training, Glenn can now walk 20 miles a day.
The Pennine Way is a 270-mile trek across hills and dales, but Glenn estimates diversions and trips to and from places to stay will bump the mileage up to 451.
He will be joined by wife Sarah and their German Shepherd dog Blaze, but many more have also signed up.
Each walker will have to carry all their supplies. Sponsorship has come in from companies across the country and towns and villages along the route are hosting events to add to their collection.
Imperial Commercials Volkswagen Van Centre Stoke with a showroom on Leek New Road, Cobridge are backing the fund raising venture and plan to follow Glenn on twitter where he will be sending frequent updates. Simon Jackson Sales Manager also plans to join the party on route.
For more information and updates visit: imperialcommercials.co.uk
People can still sign up for the walk and can do so my emailing Glenn on: glennlowe579@btinternet.com
The team also has a sponsorship page available via: thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
