Graham walks 1,000 laps of village green on crutches near Northampton to give back to NHS

Graham's disabilities will not defy how much he wants to raise money for doctors and medics who have given their time to treat him
By Carly Roberts
Published 28th Apr 2020, 12:30 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2020, 13:19 BST

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Graham is walking the extra mile to raise money for front line medics who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Graham is walking the extra mile to raise money for front line medics who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Graham is walking the extra mile to raise money for front line medics who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

Former bricklayer, Graham Jones, is paying thanks to the medics who have helped him for the past 20 years by walking 15 laps of Harpole village green every day.

It comes as the disabled 61-year-old has challenged himself to walk 1,000 laps of the green in a bid to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together.

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So far, Graham, who has a donation box by the side of the green when he walks alone, has raised £160 since he set off on his mission on St George's Day.

Graham has now been walking for six days straight. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Graham has now been walking for six days straight. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Graham has now been walking for six days straight. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

The challenge was inspired by amazing 99-year-old Captain Tom Moore who has so far raised £29,254,502 by walking laps of his garden.

On Thursday, Graham will reach his hundredth lap, on Captain Moore's 100th birthday.

But he guesses it will take him at least another month to complete his 1,000 lap target.

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He said: "I was naturally inspired by Captain Tom, you can't fail to be inspired by him.

Give Graham a clap if you see him outside on your walk. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Give Graham a clap if you see him outside on your walk. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Give Graham a clap if you see him outside on your walk. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

"Over the years I have required an awful lot of medical attention one way or another and sometimes you feel like you live in the doctors or hospital and you feel like 'how can I give something back'?

'I thought, 'the green is outside my front door and I thought I could go round it as I don't have a front garden'."

Graham, who suffers from a catalogue of health issues including COPD, depression and angina, ventures outside his bungalow every day to start walking from 7am to 12 noon.

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"I had three people applaud me, which is a very surreal feeling. It's so touching as well," he added.

"I'm at £160 at the moment. This is a long-term challenge I've set myself but the NHS are worth it to me, they should all be on footballers wages. I have made a charity box to put outside my house while I'm out walking and if anyone wants to donate then that's great.

"If this shows other people that you can do things when you are focused then you can achieve anything. Don't give up trying."

Graham also has an online fundraising page on Facebook, and if you would like to give a donation, click here.

Related topics:NHSTom MooreNorthamptonFacebook

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