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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

Day 3 – Saturday 27th April

At the end of Horse Fair Green turn left onto South Parade, then next right onto Ellison Street, this becomes South End, then Clay Bank Road.

At the end of Clay Bank Road, turn right onto Green Bank Road, then left onto High Levels Bank (A18). Follow the A18 through Althorpe, over Keadby Bridge & through Gunnness.

At the roundabout where the A18 meets the end of the M181 there is a footbridge over the M181, coming out on Doncaster Road (A18), turn right at the next roundabout down Jack Brownsword Way to Glanford Park, Scunthorpe.

14 miles/22.5km

Due to arrive around noon, 27th April in time for lunch at the club restaurant, before the 3pm kick-off for the League 1 game between Sunthorpe United and Bradford City.

Day 2 – Friday 26th April

From Moor Top Lane, turn right onto Bell Lane, turn left onto the Doncaster Road (A638), until 2nd roundabout at North Elmsall, then turn left onto Wrangbrook Road (A6201).

Follow this road until crossing the A1 using the A639, & then on to Woodfield Road, which becomes New Road as it enters Campsall. Turn right onto Park Drive, turn right onto Church Field Road out of Campsall towards Askern.

Turn right onto A19, in Askern turn left onto Station Road which becomes Moss Road through Askern. Follow Moss Road which becomes Kirkhouse Green Road/Lodge Lane/Jack Row Lane/Woodhouse Green Road/Plumtree Hill Road into Hatfield then becomes Thorne Road & then Kirton Lane.

At the end of Kirton Lane turn left onto South Parade in Thorne, then left onto Horse Fair Green for the Fair Green Hotel.

20 miles/32km

Photos are taken by the author during some of the training walks during 2019.

DAY 1 – Bradford to Ackworth -Thursday 25th April 2019

Starting point: Valley Parade, Bradford – outside Bradford City FC.

Prospective Route
Up Valley Parade, turn left onto Manningham Lane then onto Manor Row, North Parade, Darley Sreet, Tyrell Street, Bridge Street.

Then onto and up Wakefield Road, through Tong until just before Tong Academy School, turn onto Bradford Road (A651). Follow until crossing over M62, then turn onto Bradford Road (A652) towards Batley.

In Batley, fork left onto Rouse Mill Lane (B6124), this road turns left as Soothill Lane until it becomes Batley Road & goes all the way into Wakefield, where it turns into Alvethorpe Road.

This goes onto the A642, before turning onto Ings Road (A638). This then becomes the Doncaster Road. Folllow this road until reaching Ackworth, passing Nostell Priory along the way. Turn left onto Bell Lane, the left onto Moor Top Avenue.

First Day – 22 miles/35km

I have been lucky with the weather recently, and enjoyed some wonderful sights this weekend in particular – see photo at the top of this page.

As I approach the date of my sponsored walk, from Valley Parade (home of Bradford City Football Club) to Glanford Park (home of Scunthorpe United), from 25th – 27th April, I am looking for some help with a few things…

1) More publicity! I need retweets, shares, visits & views via all of the important links below:

http://friendsofpakati.com

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

http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati

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

friendsofpakati@gmail.com

2) Can you help by donating or sponsoring me? The walk is a total of 57 miles, so either a flat donation or so much per mile. You can donate using the http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati link wherever you are in the world

3) If you follow, or contribute in some way to this website/blog, or read it at any time, what interests you about it? What other things would you like to see, or read about? Do you have anything to contribute to us? Stories or photos? Any comments you would like to tell or ask us? Let us know about any of these things, through contacts on this site or email friendsofpakati@gmail.com at any time.

Thank you.

To me recently, from Mr Mugove Chifaka, Headteacher, Pakati Secondary school:

Hi Chris, let me give you a brief report regarding the meeting :

İt a 2018 AGM that should have been held by February 2019 it was therefore over due. It was held on 26 March.

This is a mandatory parents’ meeting for the proposal of the head’s annual report, SDC chair person’s report, financial statements presentation and elections for new School Development Committee (SDC).

These went on well, and parents agreed not to change the SDC as they still have confidence in the committee. The SDC consists of 5 elected parents, the head, deputy and one senior teacher who is in the administration. Elections were presided by the ward’s local councillor as per regulations.

Further comments from an observer:

They came up with additional resolutions i.e introducing of ICT, purchasing of new curriculum text books, arranging of electronic for payments of school fees among others.

There were some questions around some pupil behaviours, not unlike any school anywhere in the world, including why they ddnt suspend those students who are suspected of gambling, and those who bully others. It was said that the school would consult with parents first.

Some further developmntal projects..such as keeping of chickens – broilers & or layers – plus repainting of teachers’ houses, renovation of classroom windows and new desks as well.

Authors comments: It brings back memories for me, as I had to take one of these meetings with no experience of what to expect. Thankfully it went well, and I ended up being able to pay for new desks, text books & even new football kits. Looks like some things are always in demand.

I have been given some football shirts kindly donated by my hometown club, Scunthorpe United to Pakati. I have also had a further gift of football shirts by some fellow supporters of the Iron (nickname of SUFC), who are involved with an amatuer side in the Scunthorpe area. I will get them all to Pakati soon as I hear of someone I know going to Zimbabwe in the near future.

As I get ever closer to my sponsored walk – 25th to 27th April – I am training each day walking around my local area in Bradford where I now live. Anyone wishing to sponsor me, please donate through the link below to my fundraising page:

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

Publicity is ongoing including in the programme for last saturdays football match in Scunthorpe, plus another interview on BBC Radio Humberside’s Sports Talk programme, with Mike White & Matt Dean, on Tuesday of this week.

Any help anyone can give please let me know…see important links below:

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

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

friendsofpakati@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati