Renal cancer awareness charity takes on huge walking challenge

The Ricky Casey Trust has organised the Keepin’ It Renal 54 challenge, which is a 54-mile walking expedition to be held this Saturday (March 23), starting from Springhead FC, Oldham, to Blackpool and back within 24 hours.

Founded in 2020, The Ricky Casey Trust is a charity that aims to further the understanding and expand the knowledge of renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) and rare renal cancers. They also provide support to families affected by the disease.

Nicola Casey, wife of Ricky, who passed away from RMC, and founder and chair of The Ricky Casey Trust, said: “We aim to raise funds to improve awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals treating renal cancers in the UK, fund vital research, and provide equipment and treatment to help relieve sickness and preserve the health of people suffering from RMC and other rare renal cancers.”

Nicola will join the team in the early hours of the morning to join in the challenge and support those taking part.

The induction part of the walking challenge starts at 8.30pm on Friday, March 22, with a small group of Ricky’s friends, along with trustee Lee McAllister, chairman of Springhead FC and a great friend of Ricky and Nicola. They will then take on the huge feat of walking 54 miles from  Springhead Football Club all the way to Blackpool Football Club and back again, walking through the night and aiming to do it in less than 24 hours. The team welcomes everyone to participate in the event to raise money and awareness.

Get involved in helping us raise awareness in March for Kidney Cancer awareness month. With our Keepin’it it renal 54challenge
Raising awareness for RMC and other rare kidney cancers. Contact us 🧡 @Nmozz @lucymitv @LucilleBrobbey @GranadaReports @Oldham_Hour pic.twitter.com/uggxeUqipx

— The Ricky Casey Trust (@rickycaseytrust) January 7, 2024

“We also have a group of cyclists doing 54 miles from Blackpool arranged by friends Phil Allingham. They will hopefully support the group along the way and aim to arrive back at similar times,” Nicola said.

This event will be the culmination of a busy month for the charity, which has raised much-needed awareness and funds throughout Kidney Cancer Awareness Month.

“I’m overwhelmed once again by the support from the lads taking on this challenge and everyone who donates and supports them and the charity. It’s going to be hard, but nowhere near as hard as what it is for people who suffer this horrendous disease that I watched my husband suffer,” she added.

“I’ve every confidence in them all!”

In addition to this event, the registered charity is appealing to people to join in and attend a 5.4km walk from Churchill Playing Fields to Springhead Football Club starting at 2:30pm on the same day.

There will also be entertainment with live music at Springhead FC following these walks, and everyone is welcome.

This Fri 6 of us will walk 54 miles from Blackpool FC to Springhead FC for The Ricky Casey Trust. There is also a 5.4k walk open to all starting 2:30pm Sat from Churchill playing fields to Springhead: https://t.co/GvTVrSBxRu or text RICKY to 70085 for £10, RICKY to 70450 for £5🧡 pic.twitter.com/vFX8v2jwhg

— Lee McAllister (@lmcallis) March 19, 2024

*More Info: The Ricky Casey Trust

*Donation link: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/54-challenge

Or text: RICKY to 70085 for £10; RICKY to 70450 for £5 donations.

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