Phil puts his best foot forward in memory of daughter.
Phil Mahon will always remember his 75th birthday – because he walked 75 miles in 7.5 days in memory of his daughter.
Phil decided to embark on the challenge to raise money for East Lancashire Hospice, where his daughter Philippa received care before she died on 24 November 2016 aged just 46 from breast cancer.
Phil, who was Deputy Head of St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst, and Principal of Oakhill College in Whalley before retiring, was accompanied by Philippa’s black Labrador Richie, who was just one year old when she died. He was also joined on various legs of the walk by friends and family including friends from the Edisford Walkers group.
Phil said: “Philippa spent the last two and a half weeks of her life at the hospice where she received the most incredible, dedicated and loving care. Nothing was too much trouble for the wonderful staff and volunteers. We will be eternally grateful for this.
“The East Lancashire Hospice needs to raise £3.7 million this year in order to provide the care and support they give to people suffering from life-threatening illness both as inpatients as well as day facilities and support.”
Phil wanted to raise money for East Lancashire Hospice to celebrate his birthday - and decided to follow in the footsteps of his adventurous daughter – who ran the London Marathon following her chemotherapy and completed the national three peaks whilst undergoing chemotherapy when her cancer returned.
Philip has already raised over £2,800 by completing the Ribble Way Walk between 25 May and 1 June - and sponsor money is pouring in.
The Ribble Way is a long distance walk between the Lancashire coast and the Yorkshire Dales National Park largely following the course of the River Ribble. Beginning at Longton, at the mouth of the Ribble, the route ends at Gravel Gap, north of Gearstones, near Ribblehead – its source.
The keen sportsman played Rugby Union for Waterloo and Lancashire RUFC’s as well as coaching Waterloo, Lancashire and Blackburn RUFC’s. He is now a keen golfer and skier and regularly walks with Richie.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philmahonribblewaywalk