THE man who rallied 49 people ahead of a charity trek across London has thanked his supporters for their “phenomenal generosity”.
Gavin Burden, a 50-year-old academic support coach from Laverstock, will embark on the Thames Bridges Trek raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity on Saturday, September 14.
His team of family, friends and strangers smashed their £25k target and raised more than £38k in the run up to the 25km walk.
Gavin was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour and had to learn how to walk again after losing 75 per cent of his vision in 1995.
By this point, the then-21-year-old carpenter had been suffering from daily migraines for two and a half years.
For Gavin’s 50th birthday he wanted to do something spectacular and began planning a charity walk with his close friend Louise Worthington, who had her brain tumour removed in 2018.
Read more: Salisbury man living with brain tumour walking 25k for charity
Despite the idea starting as a dream, Gavin has proved that through determination “anything is possible if you put your mind to it” which became the overriding lesson throughout his journey so far.
Gavin lives his life by the motto which formed his team’s name, ‘Always Believe You Can’.
He said: “It does what it says on the tin. Those are the words that inspired me to keep on going. When I look back on what we have achieved since December that’s testament to those words.
“I didn’t really see it taking off as well as it has but I think it’s grown from strength to strength. I have thrown us everywhere we can to get us some publicity and it’s great.
“The kind generosity from people has just been outstanding.”
Since the fundraiser launched, Gavin has appeared on television and featured on a Brain Tumour Charity podcast episode with Louise.
Coaches will leave Wiltshire College at 6.45am to arrive in London for 9.30am an hour before the start of the walk.
Gavin anticipates the walk will take four and a half hours but he made it clear that everyone will cross the finish line together.
“I want us to start as a team, walk as a team and finish as one,” he said.
His daughter Maisy, 14, will be taking part in the walk alongside a handful of family members and friends. Gavin’s 12-year-old son Frankie and wife Lindsey will be cheering him on at the finish line.
Gavin thanked his 1,230 (and growing) supporters and Always Believe You Can volunteers for their “absolutely phenomenal” generosity.
Local and national businesses have sponsored the walk by buying promotional space on the Workwear Innovation t-shirts the team will be wearing.
Gavin wanted add further thanks to the Tesco community team, the Brain Tumour Charity and Excelsior Coaches.
For more information about Gavin’s fundraiser, and to donate, visit justgiving.com/team/alwaysbelieveyoucan.
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