From dawn until dusk, two Manchester councillors trekked through all of the city’s wards in order to raise money to ease the suffering left in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
One month on from the devastation in the Philippines, Labour Councillors Carl Ollerhead and Con Keegan took on the challenge of walking more than 30miles to raise awareness and funds.
The pair visited all 32 wards of Manchester on their challenge, raising around £1,400 for the Disasters and Emergency Committee.
Councillor Carl Ollerhead told MM: “It was a very long day, as we started at about 6.20 and finished close to seven o’clock in the evening.
“I was well out of my comfort zone but it was definitely worth it.”
STILL ALL SMILES: Councillor Con Keegan at Wythenshawe Park
The councillors started at the most southerly point of the city close to Manchester Airport and were determined to visit all of the wards by the time they reached the most northerly point near Wardle.
Along their journey the pair were congratulated by fellow council members who donated large cheques and in some cases joined the pair for part of the way.
RAMBLING: Councillor Carl Ollerton meets a resident in Moss Side
“Monday was one month on since the tragedy struck the Philippines, so we thought it was fitting to do help raise awareness for all the people affected,” said Mr Ollerhead.
“The whole day went perfectly apart from one little hiccup where I sprained my ankle at about the half-way mark, but I continued to trudge on and complete the roundtrip and it was well-worth it in the end.”
ON A MISSION: Councillor Con Keegan in West Gorton
The whole walk took around 12 and half hours to complete as they stopped for breaks and posed for pictures in each of the wards.
After a long hard day the councillors were greeted by the familiar face of Sir Richard Leese who had travelled back from London just to congratulate them.
MADE IT! Councillor Carl Ollerton arrives in the city centre
Mr Ollerhead added: “At the finishing point we were greeted by Sir Richard Leese who congratulated us and joined us for a well-earned pint.
“Fellow councillors gave great support along the way and donated cheques and change, which is going towards helping those affected by the devastation in the Philippines.”
The money raised from the walk will be donated to the Disaster and Emergency Committee, who have already helped 1.6million people in the Philippines.
The Disasters and Emergency Committee are an organisation who brings together 14 of the leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis.
Brendan Paddy, Head of Communications at the Disasters Emergency Committee, said: “We are extremely grateful to Councillors Ollerhead and Keegan, and their supporters, for the money they raised for the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal with this extraordinary walk across Manchester.
“Fundraising like this is incredibly important because it generates not only much needed money but also awareness of the crisis.
“Our member agencies and their partners have already reach more than 1.6 million people with basic aid such as food, clean water and emergency shelter.
“With ongoing help from the people of Manchester and across the UK we hope to help many more.”
Donations to provide emergency aid in the Philippines can be made online now at www.dec.org.uk
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