SPORTS clubs across the dale paid tribute during their weekend matches to a much-loved friend who died of motor-neurone disease (MND) last week.
Graeme Kitching died just days before he was due to take part in a charity walk to raise cash to help fight the condition he had been diagnosed with. In an emotional display of homage to the Winston resident, cricket and rugby clubs paused in silence ahead of their matches and more than 100 people turned out for the Walk to d’feet MND event he had desperately wanted to take part in with his family.
Organised by fellow MND sufferer Cath Muir and her husband, Ian, the six-mile walk has so far raised £5,000 and is expected to surge
past the £7,000 achieved last year.
Mrs Muir said: “We have known Graeme since he was diagnosed. It was really important to him to support the walk.”
Mr Muir added: “He was the first person to say ‘get me some forms and I will organise the walkers’. That was the kind of guy he was. He was a cracking guy. He was the kind you took to right away.”
A former cricket player for Ingleton and a supporter of Barnard Castle Rugby Club, two years ago Mr Kitching hiked 22 miles from Langdon Beck to Barnard Castle with his son, Martin, to raise cash for the rugby club.
In tribute, the club turned out en masse to take part in Sunday’s walk.
Mr Kitching’s daughter Karen said: “Raby [cricket club] dedicated their win to dad and the rugby club held a minute’s silence. That is keeping us going. The support everyone has given is really appreciated.”
Raby Cricket Club won the Durham and Darlington Cricket League title on Saturday
Mr Kitching died unexpectedly last week after being admitted to hospital because of dehydration.
His daughter said: “I believed everything would be fine. He was still quite mobile – he didn’t event have a specialist wheelchair yet. He was so brave and determined.”
She described her father’s support for the Walk to d’feet MND event as an obsession.
She added: “His last words to me were ‘get some sponsors Karen’. This has been his focus for the last few weeks. He wanted to spread the word and raise as much money as we could.”
His efforts led to some 104 children, adults, MND sufferers and even dogs braving threatening weather to take part in the walk which was followed by treats and refreshments in Eppleby Village Hall.
Mr Kitching’s wife Susan, son Martin and daughter Karen were among those who completed the six mile walk.
Mr Muir said: “It was absolutely tremendous. Everyone enjoyed it. We were lucky with the weather because it looked like rain when we set off but everyone made it round. Everyone enjoyed the social afterwards. We are absolutely thrilled [with the support].”
Half of the cash raised will go to the MND Association and the remainder split between MND support groups in North Yorkshire and Cleveland.
Anyone who would like to add to the fundraising effort can visit www.justgiving.com/Karen-Clark-and-family, which was set up by Mr Kitching’s family.
