Fundraising champion to tackle canal marathon

Fiona Evans

At 78 years of age, Jeffrey Long could be forgiven for putting his feet up.

Having already walked more than 600 miles from the UK to Switzerland, he once postponed a hernia operation to take part in a n assault course.

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But the former paratrooper has no intention of hanging up his boots yet and is already preparing for his next challenge to help improve the lives of others.

Mr Long, who has an MBE for his charity work, is tackling the 127 miles from Liverpool to Leeds along the canal to raise money for the Lord Mayor of Bradford’s Appeal.

He said: “We must all do our bit, little or a lot it is just as important, to help those in need and this is my way of helping others. It is the first time I have done this walk but am looking forward to the challenge. The weather at this time of year could be lovely or it could be absolutely terrible so I am prepared for everything.”

Mr Long, from Bingley, will leave Liverpool on March 26 and should arrive in Leeds on April 4.

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He will be waved off by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Mike Storey.

Mr Long could be camping along the way and will stop in Bingley so Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor John Godward, can wish him well.

In 2007, he walked 629 miles from London to Lausanne in Switzerland plus the distance across the channel for the Royal British Legion.

Since then, he has taken part in other challenges that included a 12km assault course race, putting off a third hernia operation to take part.

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This year, the Lord Mayor’s Appeal is for the Little Heroes Cancer Trust and Bradford and District Senior Power, of which Mr Long is a member.

Coun Godward said: “This is a great challenge and I am very grateful to Jeffrey for taking part and raising money for my appeal.

“I hope that the weather is kind to him along his way and he reaches Leeds without too many blisters. I will be in Bingley to cheer him on his final stretch of the journey.”