Devoted Clitheroe dad completes walking challenge to mark late daughter's 21st birthday

Martin Wrigley has fundraised for Ronald McDonald House Liverpool (Mac House) since staying there whilst Brooke was critically ill in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in February 2000. Amongst the many fundraising events in this time Martin and his family and friends held an 18th birthday party in Brooke’s memory back in 2018 and raised over £2,000. He was aware that Mac House had launched an emergency appeal and he wanted to help, he knew another party wasn’t an option due to Covid-19 restrictions so came up with his own unique challenge.

“Brooke would have been 21 on February 1st so I decided to take on the challenge of walking 210km in 17 days to mark her very short time with us. I initially set the target of raising £420, to give a room to another family for two weeks, but I’m proud to say that we’re over £1,000 now, but don’t want to stop there. I can never thank Mac House enough, they were there for me when I needed them the most and I want to be here for them now in their time of need.”

Ronald McDonald House Liverpool, Alder Hey gives a home from home to up to 84 families every night that have a critically ill child in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The accommodation is free to families, but it costs £30 per family per night meaning the charity has to raise in excess of £700,000 each year to keep their doors open. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of their supporters but throughout the last year has seen income drop by 70%.

If you would like to show Martin, Mac House and the families currently staying there your support, you can donate by clicking HERE