Is chip shop owner Roy the only ‘Dingle’ in Hoddlesden?

CHIP shop owner Roy Addison is “the only Dingle in the village” when he flies the Clarets flag in the face of Rovers and Bolton fans.

But Roy’s bravery has earned him a healthy respect in Hoddlesden where he proudly wears the colours, come fair or foul fortune for the team he faithfully follows every week both home and away.

But the football rivalry is being kicked into touch this week as Roy and three of his fellow villagers head off to other famous football towns, trekking the entire distance of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in the name of charity.

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They started the 128-mile journey yesterday in Leeds and expect to enjoy a fine view of Roy’s hallowed turf today when they reach Burnley. On Thursday Roy reaches another milestone, celebrating his 47th birthday on the walk before the final push when they return home for a charity night he and his friends have dubbed “Footsore and Footloose”, at Hoddlesden Conservative Club, with a welcome potato pie supper and royal wedding champagne cocktails.

The walkers are keeping a photographic record and blog of their exploits on their Facebook page. They are raising money to support four charities: the East Lancashire Hospice, Cancer Research, theTrigeminal Neuralgia Association and the Huntington’s Disease Association.

This disease is hereditary, increasingly debilitating and life expectancy is only to early 30’s. A family in Roy’s village with have two sons who have Huntington’s and he felt very strongly the walk should support the charity because there is little support for sufferers.

His fellow walker Julia Melia has had Trigeminal Neuralgia and cancer, losing a kidney. Her father was cared for at the hospice before he died from cancer.

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Third team member, avid Blackburn fan Martin Brandon (41), also had a close relative who died from cancer and was cared for at the hospice.

To follow them on Facebook go to Leeds Liverpool Charity Canal Walk.