Rivalry cast aside as devoted Claret unites with Blackburn Rovers fan for Pendleside Hospice challenge
They may be deadly rivals when it comes to football, but Burnley fan Matt Simm and his Blackburn Rovers’ loving brother in law Nick Holroyd are ‘ united’ when it comes to taking on a huge challenge for charity.
For the duo are preparing to walk the entire width of the North of England, a leisurely 132 mile hike. The coast to coast challenge, starts in July, kicking off from Scarborough to Morecambe. The route will then take in Malton, York, Wetherby and Skipton before ending up back in Morecambe.
Matt admits that when he first met Nick, who is married to his sister Becky, he hated the fact he was a Rovers’ fan, but they have since become best friends. Matt said: “The rivalry is irrelevant now, barring the 90 minutes we're in opposite ends on game day.”
The duo plan to smash the challenge in five days in time to watch the World Cup final which they hope England will be playing in.
Matt (36) is a contestant in this year’s Pendleside Does Strictly competition and his mission is to raise as much money as possible for the hospice as a tribute to his dad, Paul, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2019 at the age of 56.
Matt said: “I’m determined to push myself to the limits to support the hospice for all that they do and all that they did for my dad. The care he received, and the support we received as a family, was unrivalled.”
Matt was nominated for ‘Strictly’ by his wife Melissa and he admits that, while he has never danced in his life, he didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge. Matt, who works as an Inspector for BAE Systems said: “I’ll always be willing to take on anything where the hospice is involved without hesitation.”
Matt, set himself a target of raising £2,000 which he has already surpassed. The goal now is to raise £5,000 and there are a number of events lined up including a quiz night and golf day at Nelson Golf Club and a day of cricket at Lowerhouse CC.
To donate to the challenge please click HERE.