A FATHER and son will be walking from Oakwell to Burton Albion Football Club in April to raise money for Weston Park Cancer Charity.
Carl Mellor, 41, from Goldthorpe, has raised thousands for the charity in the past through a variety of means - but typically walks from ground to ground to raise funds.
Carl and his dad, John Mellor, 63, will set off from Oakwell on Wednesday, April 5 before heading 25 miles to Chesterfield, through to Derby County FC and finishing on day three in Burton Albion, making it a 70-mile trip.
“Back in June of 2018 my step-dad, Steven, was diagnosed, quite suddenly, with a rare form of cancer caused by the HPV virus in his throat and neck,” Carl told the Chronicle.
“His daily treatment of radiotherapy, along with three full days of chemotherapy, started immediately at Weston Park Hospital.
“It was a long and rough journey, particularly the last months where he remained an inpatient.
“Thankfully, he rang the bell at Weston Park two days before Christmas that year.
“Whilst we knew about the hospital and the amazing work that the consultants, nurses and staff do, we knew very little of the charity.
“Throughout his treatment they provided Steven and the family with advice, therapy treatments and endless emotional support.
“Even now, almost four years post-treatment, that support continues.
“Since I started fundraising for the charity, I’ve raised about £20,000, and hopefully I can keep increasing that figure.”