Barnoldswick ex-soldier honoured for Land’s End-John o’Groats challenge
Martin Fletcher and his daughter Amelia with the trophy won at Torquay. (S)
A PENDLE ex-soldier who walked all the way from Land’s End to John o’Groats with his two dogs last summer – and raised lots of cash for the Veterans’ Association UK charity – has won a top award.
After the success of his 1,200-mile trek, Mr Martin Fletcher, from Barnoldswick, was invited all the way down to Torquay and was given a large national trophy.
He said: “On the weekend of January 18th, I was in Torquay. I was invited down there to the Toorak Hotel to attend the annual presentation dinner weekend of the Land’s End/John o’Groats Association.
“After the dinner, I was presented with my certificate and also the ‘Charlie’ Hankins Memorial Trophy. This trophy is presented by various committee members to the person or persons who, in the opinion of the committee, displayed outstanding courage, fortitude and determination, while completing the journey between Lands End and John o’Groats or vice versa by whatever means.
“This trophy is the most prestigious of the bunch that can be awarded and has only been awarded five times previously, me being the sixth person to be presented with it! To say I am over the moon is an under-statement!”
And Martin added: “My daughter Amelia joined me in Torquay for the weekend.”
Martin was allowed to bring the smaller trophy home, but the giant one does have to remain at the Toorak Hotel.
Martin, who lives in Coates Avenue, started his walk in April, accompanied by his Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Jess and Tara. They made it all the way up to the north of Scotland by August, and raised more than £1,500 for VAUK, which originated in Pendle but has now moved to Burnley.
Martin has been given a special award by the charity for his long-term effort.
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Weather for Pendle
Thursday 23 May 2013
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