Why raising funds is top of family’s to-do list

Unlike Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, Jim is not facing terminal illness, but he did see retirement as the chance to do the things he had always wanted to do.

“We spend our lives working and dreaming about seeing and doing things, and after I saw the film I thought ‘what a great idea’ and so I decided to draw up my own bucket list.

“Once you are retired you have the time and the money to do these things.”

Top of his list was to walk Hadrian’s Wall.

“I was never a great walker,” says the 66-year-old from Conisborough. “The most I had walked was from the car to the office. So it seemed a great challenge.”

When Jim told his grandchildren Jack, then 12 and Elishia, 10, about the challenge they asked if they could go along with him on the 84-mile walk.

The threesome decided to undertake the venture for the benefit of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, as it had helped family and friends in the past.

“My wife was treated there some years ago and at the time just saying ‘thank you’ never seems enough, So when we decided to do the walk it seemed a good opportunity to raise money for such an amazing place which not only helps those patients it treats, but is at the cutting edge of research into trying to find a cure for cancer.”

The adventure featured a thunderstorm on the Walltown Crags and being chased by aggressive cows, but was duly accomplished by the trio who raised an impressive £6,000 for the charity.

“We were two hours behind most people, as Elishia was only ten at the time and so was a bit slower, but she did amazingly and completed it.”

Second on the list was a coast to coast road trip from one side of America to the other. This time the trio did the three-and-a-half week trip for fun rather than charity.

“It was fantastic. I drove 3,500 miles and saw all the places I wanted to see. I’d been to America a lot of times before with work, but never really got to see the real America.”

This year Jim and his grandchildren are attempting number three on the bucket list.

Jim, Jack and Elishia plan to travel over 5,000 miles to see and walk 100 miles across the Great Wall of China in October this year.

“For whatever reason the Great Wall of China has fascinated me since my youth,” explains Jim.

“The challenge is greater as it is in an Asiatic country visiting towns and villages whose names we cannot even pronounce!”

They are already in training for their trek and have booked to revisit Hadrian’s Wall at the end of May, to walk the “middle bit”, some 43 miles.

“I am now finding that walking is really quite good fun and a great way to get fit. I get on very well with my grandchildren and it is lovely to spend the time with them.”

The charity funds vital research and care for the patients which cover the full age range of cancer sufferers.

Through the charity’s fund raising, Weston Park Hospital houses an award-winning radiotherapy department, which is one of the leading centres for treatment in the UK.

It has part funded the Clinical Trials Centre which is at the leading edge of cancer research.

Jim and his grandchildren hope to raise in excess of £10,000 with their Great Wall of China adventure.

He says: “In this age of cut-backs we need to ensure that Weston Park’s vital contribution to research and care continues and we hope to play a small part in this.”

As for Jim’s bucket list well he still has plans to see Everest, Iceland and Namibia – all before he hits 70.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Jim, Jack and Elishia should visit www.justgiving.com/James-Beachill

weston park cancer charity

WESTON Park Hospital Cancer Charity funds vital research and care for the patients which cover the full age range of cancer sufferers. Through the charity’s fund raising, Weston Park Hospital houses an award-winning radiotherapy department, which is one of the leading centres for treatment in the UK. It has part funded the Clinical Trials Centre which is at the leading edge of cancer research. The Survive and Thrive Research Project provides treatments for young cancer sufferers. A cancer information and support centre gives support for cancer patients. All made possible by the charity.