Mickey sets a 'blistering' pace

Mickey Griffiths was joined by 30 people at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium to complete the last nine miles of his Scarlet Gooseberry Stroll, which took him from St Helens rugby ground in Swansea to the new Saints stadium at Peasley Cross.

A team of friends, work colleagues and members of the Steve Prescott Foundation, including Prekky himself, Saints player Jon Wilkin and former Saints player Steve Hall, greeted, encouraged and joined Mickey on the walk.

Following a three-hour trek the team arrived at the new Saints stadium having raised an impressive £3,000. Mickey was congratulated by well-wishers, who sprayed him with champagne.

Wigan fan Mickey, from Salford, said: “The journey was very tough. I got so many blisters throughout the walk, along with a dead leg.

“I also almost got run over several times, and on some days the conditions were really difficult because it was so hot.

“The worst days had to be on the Monday, trekking through the Brecon Beacons up and down the hills through the holes and mud, and on the Saturday when I kept seeing signs reminding me how many miles I still had to go.

“It was a brilliant feeling getting to Warrington and seeing familiar faces – it really picked me up. It was good to have people to chat to, and made the last few miles into St Helens fly by.

“It was a great feeling to finish the walk. I appreciate the support from everyone who joined in, and it’s fantastic we managed to raise so much money for the foundation.”

Mickey began his lone venture at the Swansea ground, travelling for six days through Wales and England, calling at Aberdare, Hay-On-Wye, Ludlow, Leominster, Shrewsbury and Nantwich before reaching Warrington.

After the walk the team continued the fundraising and celebrations for Mickey at the charity race day at the Imperial in St Helens, which included a raffle, auctions and horse racing, which helped to raise a further £1,800 for the charity.