In the end it was just a walk in the park…
A final mile in Middlesbrough’s Albert Park brought Ian Mawson’s staggering Walking the World challenge to a close.
The 75-year-old was joined by close family and friends, well-wishers and local schoolchildren as he completed his 24,901-mile journey – the equivalent of the circumference of the earth.
Setting off from the Cenotaph he was accompanied by students from River Tees Secondary Academy, as well as Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke and Deputy Mayor Philippa Storey.
And celebrations stepped up a notch as he approached the Park’s iconic fountain where pupils from Abingdon Primary School cheered him on his way towards the finish line at the boating lake where Mayor Cooke presented him with a framed Mayor’s Commendation certificate in recognition of his achievement.
The epic Walking the World challenge grew out of Ian’s love of walking and has taken nearly ten years to complete.
He’s been raising money along the way to combat child poverty in Middlesbrough and beyond, and hopes others will be inspired to take up similar challenges in support of good causes.
Ian said: “What a fantastic way to end this part of the journey – I won’t stop walking of course, but I hope others will be inspired to take up similar challenges in aid of good causes.
“All too often families are struggling to meet their and their children’s basic needs so if we can help them then it will all have been worthwhile."
Funds raised during the latter stages of Walking the World will be distributed to local schools and community organisations to provide financial assistance and daily essentials for young people and their families.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Ian’s a fantastic role model for people of all ages, and it was great to see him cheered on by pupils from local schools as he complete his final mile.
“He’s making a real difference, and I’m sure others will be inspired to take up their own challenges to help those around them.”
