'Challenge Tony' celebrates Yorkshire and Quality Care by walking six marathons in six days
Inspired by the great success of the British cyclists at the Tour de France, which will be passing by Threshfield Court care home next year, Adventure junkie Tony Lyon plans to celebrate the beauty of Yorkshire and promote the importance of quality care for young and old in the region by completing six marathons in six days!
The General Manager of Barchester Healthcare's Threshfield Court care home in Grassington, Tony Lyons, plans to complete 'Challenge Tony' on Thursday 1 August to coincide with Yorkshire Day, while raising money for the Barchester Healthcare Foundation. Tony will walk 153 miles between all nine of Barchester Healthcare's Yorkshire homes.
Tony Lyons said: "A relaxing break for me is wild camping and trying to be totally self sufficient. Doing six long-distance walks each day shouldn't be too much of a problem, but walking six consecutive days is the challenge both physically and mentally, especially if this heat continues as predicted!"
"I want to also bring people's attention to the excellent care facilities that are available in Yorkshire and welcome anyone who wants to celebrate with me at any one of the Barchester homes along the route to join in the festivities. I'm looking forward to being welcomed back to the home by residents, staff, and friends of Threshfield Court, including some of the Calendar Girls."
A launch party will be held from 2pm on Friday 26 July at Mount Vale, in Northallerton, with the walk starting from the home early the next morning. The finale event starts on Yorkshire Day, Thursday 1 August, from 2pm. Tony is expected to arrive at the home welcomed by some of the Calendar Girls, including Ros Fawcett and Beryl Banforth between 2.30pm and 3pm.
Each Barchester home is hosting a Yorkshire-themed event to celebrate the arrival of Tony and white roses will also be planted as a symbol of Yorkshire. Residents at each home are helping to craft a letter to spell out the word Y-O-R-K-S-H-I-R-E, which will be unveiled at Threshfield Court on Yorkshire Day.
To keep up with Tony’s progress visit his Blog on Twitter @challtony2013 #challengetony