WARRINGTON’S very own “Team Hillsborough” are embarking on a three day marathon to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy when 96 innocent football fans lost their lives.
The team of 14 will be setting off Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Hillsborough Stadium on April 11 and walking 96 miles over three days to Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium.
Warrington’s own ‘Team Hillsborough’ are Mark Buckley, Chris Parry, Emma Reid, Wayne Rankin, David Pym, Kim Banks, Selena Ledgerton, Corinne Roberts, Rob Watson, Jennie Kennedy, Jane Warner, John McLean, Danny Daniels and Liam Gannon and they will be walking in memory of the 96 innocent supporters who lost their lives during the Hillsborough tragedy on the April 15 1989.
As well as walking in honour of those lost at Hillsborough, the team are walking the 96 gruelling miles to raise money for two very worthy charities – The Hillsborough Family Support Group and Warrington Youth Club.
The team have their own personal reasons for walking:
Wayne Rankin said: “I could have been at Hillsborough, I had a ticket but was held up at work… thankfully my friends came back safe but since ‘the truth’ was finally outed in 2012 I have wanted to remind people that there is still justice to be served. This walk is a way for me of showing my never-ending support and maintaining local awareness…”
Mark Buckley added: “As a lifelong Liverpool supporter, I wanted to do something challenging and dedicate it to the memory of the 96 and at the same time raising money for some very worthy causes.”
Selena Ledgerton said: “My grandfather was at Hillsborough that day… he helped pull people up to the terrace above – all I can remember was our overwhelming fear for his safety, we still have his ticket. My mother raised money for the JFT96 campaign and though terminally ill by 2012, was over the moon to hear the result. And my father? When we laid him to rest he wore a black shirt with just one word across it in white… JUSTICE.
I’ll be walking in honour of the 96, for those who saved lives that day and all who have campaigned for them.”
Anyone wishing to donate to this worthwhile cause can visit the team’s Just Giving page here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/teamhillsboroughwalk.com
The route they will be taking can be seen here http://goo.gl/maps/rEMXs
Pictures shows members of the Warrington team outside Culcheth Royal British Legion after one of their training walks
