Family's 66-mile walk raises funds in memory of Heysham dad who died of incurable lung disease

Tuesday, 12 September 2023 08:57

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Family of a Heysham man who died of a lung condition with no known cure have walked 66 miles in two days to raise money in his memory.

Brian Lynch died in March aged 66 from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Brian, who ran his own tiling business, was a regular bowls player in earlier years for the county team and later for Trimpell Sports and Social Club in Morecambe.

His daughter Clare Austin, her husband Rob and Clare's stepbrother Louie Rowell completed a two-day sponsored walk from Yorkshire to the Trimpell on Sunday, as September is IPF Awareness Month.

They covered 66 miles - a mile for every year of Brian's life - using the Leeds-Liverpool Canal as the route, joining the Lancaster to Morecambe cycle track at the Millennium Bridge for her final leg to the Trimpell.

They arrived at the Trimpell at around 7.30pm after an epic 36-mile trek on Day 2, which started at 6am.

Clare was met by family and friends including Kerstin, Brian's wife.

Pictured below are Brian's wife Kerstin with Clare at the end of the walk

So far they have raised more than £1500.

They are raising money for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) - a growing community of patients, families, researchers and healthcare professionals striving to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis so that everyone affected by the disease has a better future.

Clare said: "What an epic journey this weekend has been.

"Forget all the blisters and tears, we walked 66 miles in memory of Brian Lynch and to raise awareness of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

"Thank you to everyone who sponsored, supported, walked and cheered us on, it means the world to me .

Extra special thank you to Rob Austin and Louie Rowell, I couldn't have done this without you...Tracey Austin and Keith Austin, our rock and support team that followed us all the way to offer help and moral support when very much needed.

"Any donations are very much appreciated."

You can find the page here.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.

There is currently no cure for IPF, but there are several treatments that can help relieve the symptoms and slow down its progression.

On Air Now

Now Playing

Family's 66-mile walk raises funds in memory of Heysham dad who died of incurable lung disease

More from Local News

Recently Played Songs

Up next on Beyond Radio

Download our Official Apps

On Air Now

Family's 66-mile walk raises funds in memory of Heysham dad who died of incurable lung disease

Share

More from Local News

Recently Played Songs

Up next on Beyond Radio

Download our Official Apps