A MAN is reliving a pioneering sponsored walk he tackled when he was a schoolboy.
In 1969, Bill Ollier, then 17, joined 50,000 young people to trek 30 miles in aid of Oxfam.
The teenagers set off from different points all over London to reach Wembley Stadium where they were then treated to a free concert.
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Their epic fundraiser was filmed by Pathe News as was so unusual back then for young people to come together for such a challenging charity event.
Now the Goostrey villager plans to repeat the feat again with three former schoolfriends who joined him 55 years ago.
Bill said: “In 1969, we attempted the walk in one day, without water in blistering heat.
“Two of us didn’t make it to the end of the route and the other two ended up with heatstroke.
“This time we all plan to finish and live to tell the tale!”
Later this month, Bill will be walking with Keith Randle, Peter Guy Jackson and Ian Griffin, all former pupils at Crewe Grammar School, now Ruskin Community School.
Bill said: “This time, we’ll be appropriately dressed, carrying plenty of water and doing the walk over two days.
“The four of us will attempt the same route from Amersham to Wembley.
“Then, we raised £40, worth £850 in today’s money.
“This time we’re aiming for £2,000.”
To support Bill and his fellow walkers visit justgiving.com/page/peter-jackson-1709736234609
The four men, now 71, live in different parts of the UK and California.
Bill said: “Looking back, it’s amazing what we did.
“Our fathers all worked on the railways so we had free rail travel.
“We just got on a train and set off for London.
“We had virtually no idea where we were going but after sleeping the night on a roundabout near Amersham tube station, we found the start and set off.
“We had done no training, no proper walking equipment and little money.
“We had no water, even though it turned out to be the hottest day of the year.
“Luckily people came out of their homes to offer us drinks.
“A sponsored walk was a novel idea back then.
“But I remember we were very pleased to have raised £40 for Oxfam and we enjoyed the concert.
“Love Affair headlined the show.
“This year we have been in training, invested in good footwear and will have the luxury of a hotel room.”
Oxfam works every day to end poverty.
Bill said: "Oxfam is well known for continuously trying to fight back against all the strife, grief, destruction and injustices in the world.
"We are honoured to lend a hand this year as we did 55 years ago."
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