Express & Star

Hundreds help make dreams reality in sponsored walk

They came in their hundreds. People off all ages, but all with the same goal - to raise money for seriously ill children.

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Taking part in Walk for Dreams, at Himley Park

Almost 500 people walked the 10 mile route from Himley Hall to Wolverhampton Racecourse as part of Walk For Dreams, held by charity Promise Dreams.

Starting at 11am yesterday, the fundraisers, many in t-shirts showing who they were raising money for, strode out from the grounds of the hall.

And by 5pm, all finished by crossing the line at Wolverhampton Racecourse. The event raised thousands of pounds for Promise Dreams, which provides help and days out for poorly children.

Among the celebrities at the event was Wolves legend Steve Bull, who, along with his wife Kirsty, has already raised more than £5,000 for the charity.

Radio DJ Dicky Dodd helped with the event build-up, while reality television star Pete Wicks, from The Only Way Is Essex, was also taking part in the walk.

He was there to support Freya Felton, aged 12, from Willenhall, who invited him after becoming friends following a book signing. In total, a team supporting Freya had 50 people.

Freya suffers from a debilitating illness, having been diagnosed with pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas 10 years ago.

Mr Wicks said: "Hearing what Freya has been through and getting to know her as a friend made me want to do this for her, and to raise money for charity."

Freya's mother Claire said: "We've doubled the number of people taking part compared to last year. This year we hope to raise £2,500 - it is a great achievement by everyone involved."

Also taking part was Julie Roberts, 53, from Willenhall, who, along with six of her friends dressed with traffic cones on their heads.

They had raised £500.

She said: "It is a great way of having fun while also raising money for charity."

Prolific fundraiser Louis Johnson, aged 10, from Tettenhall, did the walk with his mother Teresa, and Steve Bull's daughter Gracie.

Two months ago he raised almost £1,700 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

And he was raising money again by taking part in the walk.

He said: "You hear about the problems people face and you want to raise money to help them."

Britain's Got Talent star Stu Goldcrusher also took part.

He has raised £158,000 for a number of charities, including Promise Dreams, since 2003.

Ahead of the start, a warm-up was given to people taking part before Steve Bull wished everyone luck and then sounded the horn for start.

He said: "Big applause for Promise Dreams for doing this, it is brilliant."