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The walk from Bradford to Scunthorpe took place the weekend just past. Thanks to my son Daniel, his girlfriend Alice in particular for all their support & efforts. I also want to thank Karen & Brian for joining us on Saturday.

Thanks to all who gave given support in which ever way they can – cash, online donations, football tops, publicity & promotion, interviews on the radio and podcasts, in various print media, PC’s and laptops – all very gratefully received.

Scunthorpe United FC have been very supportive, and on Saturday I received a surprise or two… we were in the club restaurant before the game, and the sponsors of the game & matchball were being introduced to everyone there.

Then Charles & Liz (matchball sponsors) were talking aboout having lived in Bradford previously, how they often travelled to Scunthorpe by car back then…but someone had walked there that day…and invited me up to speak!

I spoke briefly, before being given some old Sunthorpe United shirts…which it seems have a value to collectors! I am in the process of selling them for a good contribution to the funds.

Then the club chairman, Peter Swann, came over to me to tell me how much he supported what I am doing for Pakati schools..at the end of the conversation he said he would match whatever we have had donated, then will add the same amount to the cause!

So….the question is…as I need to continue to raise funds for the project…what should I do next?

Please feel free to come up with plenty of suggestions, ideas for raising money…I will look through all ideas & then decide which are the most practical and/or lucrative. Post them on facebook or twitter or email me…see the Important Links page on here.

Daniel and Alice completed the whole distance – FANTASTIC BOTH OF YOU

I completed day 1 and day 2, plus the last couple of miles on day 3 (due to injury)

Karen and Brian completed day 3 – THANK YOU!

Great reception from Scunthorpe United FC and fans!! Thanks to Rob Noble, James Moody for the ‘behind the scenes’ work, plus those who edit & publish The Iron matchday programme. Thanks to those who presented me with the shirts and applauded us in the restaurant, and thanks to the club Chairman, Peter Swann for his kind words and even kinder ofer to double whatever we have raised. THANK YOU ALL

Please donate http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

I will publish more photos, details and updates later on. Let us all rest awhile!

Started outside Bradford City football ground

The walk will end at Glanford Park, home of Scunthorpe United on Saturday 27th April 2019 around 12 noon or thereabouts.

Day 1 is 22 miles from Bradford, through Birstall, Batley, Wakefield, past Nostell Priory to Ackworth. A few hills along the way, the toughest day.

Day 2 is 20 miles, from Ackworth, through Campsall, Askern and Stainforth, arriving in Thorne. Fewer hills, less steep, the second half is largely flat.

Day 3 is 14+ miles, from Thorne, passing Althorpe and Keadby, through Gunness, arriving at Glanford Park. Largely flat thankfully!

Days 1 and 2 are being covered by the author (Chris), his son (Dan) and son’s girlfriend (Alice).

Day 3 we are joined by one of my work colleagues (Karen Harper – a Bradford City fan) and a friend (Brian Smith – a Scunthorpe United fan). We are promised a warm welcome by Scunthorpe United (the Iron) on arrival.

Earlier this evening I was interviewed by Iron Bru, a fans forum and widely respected regular podcast. I must give them a big Thank You for allowing me time to chat about the Iron, the Bradford City game but mostly about this event/project. Very much appreciated!

I am also informed I am being interviewed again before the Bradford game kicks off by BBC Radio Humberside, around 2.30pm inside the ground.

I cant wait to get on with it…!

Much more walking is being done this week, building up to this Thursday when the actual walk happens. I have driven the proposed route to see what it is like, and it is clear the first day will be the toughest.

I have also been buying things we need, such as medical supplies and other things to make the walk more bearable…planning stops and breaks, making sure we are fed and watered sufficiently, plus having spare clothes at the stop-over points.

On top of this there is more publicity coming up in both the Bradford and Scunthorpe areas, as well as posting regular updates on social media throughout the walk, and at the end of each day on here.

Weather-wise it is looking like it will be cloudy, with the odd shower, and temperatures lower than recent days at around 13° Thursday and Friday, then 10° on Saturday.

At Scunthorpe United I must thank the following people for their assistance: Rob Noble, James Moody and those who edit and publish The Iron matchday programmes. I also want to thank Glyn Sparks (the Iron’s mascot Scunny Bunny) for his kind words and encouragement/advice recently.

Thanks also to some of the various fan groups for Scunthorpe United, particularly the Iron Trust who have given support to the cause. Iron Trust have asked for shirt donations from fans, plus they have recently given me space in their newsletter which goes in The Iron progamme each matchday.

I must also thank the individual fans who have given either a donation or encouragement (sometimes both), both in person and on social media and/or via this website.

Donations via: http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

Follow us: http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati and http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati

Email: friendsofpakati@gmail.com

Only 3 more days left to the start of the walk…it looks like day 1 may be a bit wet, but we are getting prepared for any eventuality. The benefits of the training have been two-fold: 1) I have been feeling good, fitter than usual, and 2) the sights around Bradford when the sun is out can be amazing…

I am delighted to be joined by my son, Daniel, on much of the training now as he is doing the full walk with me, but as a fit young man who plays football and rugby, giving me useful advice.

I know it is going to be tough, but I find myself more determined than ever to complete the challenge. I am inspired by many people – family, friends, colleagues, fellow football fans, businesses, and the kindness of strangers, particularly on social media – but mostly by all associated with Pakati schools, either staff or students past and present, or members of the community. The encouragement has been amazing. Thank you all.

Next weekend, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 25th – 27th April I will be walking the 57 miles from Bradford City’s football ground to Scunthorpe United’s football ground, in time for lunch before the League 1 match between the two sides. I live in Bradford but come from Scunthorpe originally.

I am being joined on the walk from the beginning by my son Daniel and his girlfriend Alice, then on the Saturday morning we will be joined by one of my work colleagues, Karen Harper (a Bradford City fan) and Brian Smith (a fellow Scunthorpe United fan).

The first day sees us set off from Valley Parade, then walking up & down the hills between Bradford & Wakefield, before heading past Nostell Priory to stay with family in Ackworth.

The second day sees a few less hills as we pass through Askern, Campsall and Stainforth before ending up at the Fair Green Hotel in Thorne for the night.

The third and final day is largely flat, between Thorne and our final destination of Glanford Park, Scunthorpe, passing near or through Althorpe, Keadby and Gunness.

Annyone wishing to donate please go to the fundraising page below:

http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

Also please follow us at:

http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati

http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati

Or contact us:

friendsofpakati@gmail.com

Thank you.

Born in 1993 in Harare Hospital, I did my Primary (2000 to 2006) and Secondary (2007 to 2010) education at Pakati school. I enjoyed the life at Pakati school to the maximum because we walked only a very short distance to the school of about 400metres.

Due to nearness to school most of the teachers knew my name and family members as well. We used to supply these teachers with sweet potatoes, green mealies (maize), mangoes and other foods.

A well behaved person was my game at school because my parents always came to consult my teachers as well as the school Head.

My best subjects were History, Geography and Building Studies. I was motivated to do Building Studies by my father who is a builder by profession. I was also a soccer medic [first aid].

Life after school – upon completion of my O levels I then applied for various instututions, looking for a vacancies i.e. ZRP (Police), ZNA (Army), Teaching, etc, but it was dream which did not come true.

During that time corruption was becoming the order of the day so to get a job was very difficult. If Iget an opportunity I would really like to do Electrical Power Engeenering studies and/or Telecommunication studies.

I was one of the painters who did the current paintings at Pakati Secondary classroom blocks and the adminstration block.

My former teachers at Pakati Secondary school were:
Miss Chakanyuka
Mrs Nzuma
Mr Mushaninga
Mr Chifaka (current Head)
Miss Mukwena
Mr Chizenya
Mr Katonha
Mr Mutyavaviri

PLEASE……can you share, retweet, pass on to your contacts via social (or any other) media this blog post for me on behalf of the students, staff & community of both the Primary and Secondary Schools of Pakati, in Murwea South district of Zimbabwe.

http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati

http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati

friendsofpakati@gmail.com

The important links above are to support this website/blog http://friendsofpakati.com

I want to THANK YOU all of the following people for their help, be it in the form of sponsorship/support, donations of money and/or IT equipment/ football shirts, publicity, technical help, social media suport or simply words of encouragement:

BBBC Radio Humberside Sports Talk presenters

Sports & feature writers at Scunthorpe Live

IT Manager at Stephenson Group Ltd

Roj at Mortz Properry Services

Staff at Sunthorpe United FC

Supporters at Scunthorpe United FC

Colleagues & friends at my workplace

Friends & family

Staff & students past & present from Pakati & community members

All those who follow, like, share, tweet/retweet the varous blogs I have posted…long may this continue after my walk in less than 2 weeks time