Tubby Abingdon man leads 52 mile charity walk through Oxfordshire & Berkshire Posted: 1st February, 2008 Abingdon resident and fully-fledged fat man, Gav Thompson, is leading a team of 17 walkers on a 52 mile charity walk to raise funds for the Jennifer Trust(1) and the Naomi Children’s Hospice(2). The “Fat Men Walking” team will walk the 52 miles down The Thames Path and back up the Kennet Canal over 3 days. The team sets off from Abingdon Bridge at 7.30am on Thursday 7 February. Gav decided on the walk after Georgia, the 5 month old daughter of great friends of his, was diagnosed with the terminal disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA). After a brave 3 month fight against this terrible condition, Georgia died on January 6th this year. There is little awareness of SMA, despite its being the largest genetic killer of babies and toddlers in the UK. The rotund Thompson has teamed up with his similarly generously proportioned friend, Matt Whitticase. The two have hauled themselves from the couch and have been training furiously since October. “We weren’t sure how far we should walk, so we both got on the bathroom scales only to find that our combined weight was off the scale!”, Thompson admitted. “We figured we should walk as many miles as our combined weight and that gave us the 52 miles.” - Gav Thompson The other walkers are all friends and family of Georgia’s parents, Nick & Emma Macpherson, from Newbury, Berkshire who are also doing the walk. The 17 walkers have so far raised the very fat sum of £73,000 in sponsorship from friends and colleagues, but are keen to try and weigh in finally with a hefty £100,000 for these 2 charities and their invaluable work. The walkers have received support from their somewhat trimmer friend, Oxfordshire resident, Tim Henman, as well as a ringing endorsement from The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams: “I’m really pleased to hear about the efforts being made to raise money for the Jennifer Trust by Fat Men Walking. The Trust is an inspiration; its work has obviously been a ray of real hope for many in deep distress, and I send every blessing and good wish for the walk. You’ll be in our prayers here at Lambeth Palace.” The walkers have also received very generous support from The Great House Hotel at Sonning. (1) About the Jennifer Trust The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the only national charity in the UK dedicated both to supporting people affected by SMA, and investing in essential research into causes, treatments, and eventually a cure for the disease. http://www.jtsma.org.uk/ (2) About Naomi House Naomi House is a purpose-built children's hospice that provides a homely environment for children and young people with life-limiting conditions that mean that they will not live to become adults. http://www.naomihouse.org.uk/ Contact: Gav Thompson. t: 0793 4348484 / e: gavtho@gmail.com