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FATHER FIGURE: Dad to take on 1,250-mile walk for charities that saved his son’s life

 Published on: 5th April 2025   |   By: The Newsdesk   |   Category: Uncategorized

Tring resident Bill George is embarking on a solo hike from Land’s End to John O’Groats utilising many of Britain’s most beautiful National Trails.

Beginning later this month, the 64 year old will cover a distance of 1,250 miles and hopes to arrive in John O’Groats by mid-July.

In April 2019, Bill’s youngest son James, just 17 at the time, was diagnosed with a rare form of acute leukaemia. James had to undergo a stem cell transplant in August of the same year.

Speaking to TRINGnews, Bill said: “James was gravely ill and it was touch and go for a time but fortunately, thanks to the expert care at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital and the Anthony Nolan charity in sourcing a donor, he came through and is now leading a normal life as a healthy 23 year old.

“The charity CLIC Sargent (now called Young Lives vs Cancer) was also a huge support throughout. Having people behind us who really understood the impact on young people that having such a serious illness can have, with its gruelling treatment, really made a difference to our entire family.”

Through undertaking this walk, Bill is hoping to raise funds for all three of the above organisations.

He continued: “My aim is to give something back so that others may benefit, as James did, from their remarkable work, as well as to offer hope to anyone going through a similarly traumatic and uncertain time. There can definitely be life after cancer.

“I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped and supported us all during James’ recovery and for ultimately saving his life.”

To donate, head to www.gvwhl.com/GBKMA

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