Friends mark milestone date with 100-mile charity walk

Alan Middup, 79, and his friend Michael Harris, 83, both from Barnard Castle are preparing to take on a 102-mile walking challenge this June in support of Endometriosis UK.

The pair will spend eight days walking alongside the Settle-Carlisle railway, one of the most scenic rail routes in the country.

The challenge has been organised ahead of Alan’s 80th birthday in September.

As regular walkers across Teesdale and the wider North Pennines, Alan and Michael wanted to use the milestone birthday as an opportunity to support a cause close to their hearts and help bring greater attention to a condition that is still widely misunderstood.

They chose to fundraise for Endometriosis UK after seeing first-hand the impact the condition has had on several close friends, including The Witham’s Amy Hughes, who lives with Stage 4 endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body, often causing severe pain, exhaustion and fertility issues.

It affects around 1.5 million people in the UK, yet diagnosis still takes nearly nine years on average.

Alan said: “We know brilliant women whose lives have been completely disrupted by endometriosis.

“It’s far more common than people realise, yet many suffer in silence for years before getting answers.

“I wanted to do something practical for my milestone birthday that could help raise awareness as well as money for research and support.”

Amy is centre director at The Witham in Barnard Castle.

She added: “There is still so much misunderstanding around women’s health conditions like endometriosis.

“To have men actively supporting a women’s health cause, especially when medical misogyny lies at the heart of so many of these issues, is fantastic.

“I’m incredibly touched that Alan and Michael have chosen to do this.”

The walk takes place in June and follows the Settle-Carlisle line through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria.

The pair hope to raise funds and awareness along the way.

People wishing to support Alan and Michael’s fundraiser can donate via their JustGiving page here.