Cannock man prepares for 10th charity hike in memory of his wife

An 85-year-old fundraiser is preparing to organise his 10th annual charity hike across Cannock Chase in memory of his late wife.

Bob Pitcher launched the Walking for Eileen event after planting a tree on Cannock Chase in memory of his wife, Eileen, who died in 2017.

The first hike proved a success and has since become an annual fundraiser for MASE (Monthly Alzheimer's Support Evenings), the organisation which supported Eileen and Bob during her illness.

This year's event will take place on Saturday, September 5, with participants able to choose between a six-mile hike and a less strenuous one-mile walk.

Both routes will start and finish at Marquis Drive Visitors Centre. A warm-up session with a fitness instructor will take place at 11.40am, with the walks getting under way at noon.

Around 140 people took part in last year's Walking for Eileen event, including regular attendee Dame Amanda Milling, who gave a speech and rang the bell to start the walks.

Bob took Eileen to MASE for around 18 months before she died and has since volunteered with the organisation for nine years.

He said the event was a chance to bring people to enjoy Cannock Chase while raising money for an important local cause.

“I've seen the heartache that Alzheimer's brings, but I've also seen the relief that an evening at MASE brings,” he said.

“For a few vital hours each month they are provided with friendship, advice and much needed support.”

MASE holds monthly support evenings at St Luke's in Cannock, Village Hall in Haughton and Lea Hall Club in Rugeley.

While MASE remains the main beneficiary of the event, Bob opened Walking for Eileen to other local groups last year so they could use the event as a fundraising opportunity.

Groups interested in taking part can email [email protected] with details of their organisation and an estimated number of participants.