UK Power Networks Holdings Ltd.

06/03/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/03/2021 04:37

Captain Sir Tom inspires a ‘mighty hike’

From News & press - 3 June 2021 12:00 AM

Peter Sison, a telecommunications engineer at UK Power Networks, has more than doubled his original fundraising goal, raising over £500 in the build-up to his 13-mile hike on Saturday (June 5) from Alfriston to Eastbourne.

Macmillan Cancer Support, like so many charities across the UK, has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events over the last 12 months due to Covid-19. Macmillan has never needed the public's help more to provide vital emotional, financial or clinical support for people living with cancer.

Colleagues have sponsored Peter's challenge, which he is doing with his wife Heidi, sons Ben and Richard and Richard's fiancé Connie. UK Power Networks offer up to £100 match funding to support employees with fundraising events.

Peter, who is 60, said: 'I don't consider myself old and if Captain Tom can do what he did at 100, surely I can walk 13 miles over the South Downs. Captain Tom swept everyone along with his fundraising for the NHS and what he did inspired many people.

'As terrible as Covid is and many people have lost their lives, there are other diseases that are still affecting a lot of people. I know how hard Macmillan nurses work and the support they gave a couple of my friends was fantastic. I felt this was the least I could do to support them.'

Peter has been training for the walk on the South Downs and now feels stronger on the hills. He explained: 'For a lot of people 13 miles isn't a long distance, but for someone happy to take the lift rather than the stairs at work, it is a challenge. I still haven't completed the full distance yet, because I want that sense of achievement on the day itself.

'I think by the end my poor feet will say, 'have a rest now', but we will keep walking because it's great. It has been a real eye-opener. Hiking wasn't something we have done in the past yet just being up on the hilltops, talking, with no distractions, is brilliant. It has been good for the soul, but not the soles!'

The route includes the spectacular coastline of the chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters Country Park.

Click here to support Peter's walk.