Crewe resident raises over £4000 for charity walking The Somme
By Annalise Timms
8th Aug 2022 | Local News
A Crewe man has organised and completed a gruelling charity challenge in memory of a teenager who died from cancer.
Cheshire Roll of Honour's Stephen Benson navigated a sponsored walk of a World War I route, The Somme.
The walk took place on July 7 2022 and resulted in crowdfunded donations of £3,945.
The event honoured Cheshire teenager Max Morrison (17), who lost his battle with leukaemia in May 2019.
Stephen was joined by Max's brother Vincent Morrison, and David Brown, from the Royal British Legion.
They walked 27.13 miles to raise money for charity. Just a few months prior to his death, Max went on the same historic war walk now followed by the fundraising trio.
Crewe Nub News checked in with Stephen a month after his walk to get comments on his experience.
"It was very good, the weather was fantastic," Stephen revealed.
"I am grateful, delighted and humbled by donations, I want to thank them all."
Their original target was £1,500 but they were swiftly able triple this figure to £3,945.
The money will be split equally between the Teenage Cancer Trust, Walking for the Wounded and The Lochnagar Crater Foundation.
A further £500 was privately donated to Teenage Cancer Trust outside of the JustGiving page, taking the total way past £4000.
"I am absolutely delighted that in these hard times we've tripled our target, it's fantastic," Stephen added.
The walk began at around 7:30 in the morning and took them approximately 11 hours to complete.
Along their walk they visited landmarks such as the Thiepval Memorial, where Max and Stephen previously presented information about a 16 year old solider from Wallasey who was killed in action on the 7th July 1916, which they planned their walk on.
"I am very grateful to the workmen at Thiepval memorial because when we arrived it was closed," Stephen explained.
'However, when they heard the story they took us in and allowed Vincent to have a photo exactly where his brother stood."
The donations made will have important impacts and create change for individuals and communities.
"Every £1000 could give one solider 12 counselling sessions or can help get them back into workplaces," Stephen said.
"It can also help make places more accessible for disabled soldiers."
The reaction from Max's family has been very supportive and positive.
"They are delighted," Stephen also said.
"Both his mum and Dad over the moon for money raised and for what Vincent has achieved.
"Thank you to everyone for your support."
Max Morrison was a history and music loving teenager from Macclesfield, you can find more about him here and here.
Max's brother Vincent will now get his GCSE results, before deciding what to do with his future.
Stephen and David will now prepare for Remembrance Day later this year. Stephen has big plans for Crewe's Remembrance this year, for which Crewe Nub News will be delighted to report on.
You can watch a video of the trio at the finish line of the walk by clicking here, kindly filmed by their accommodation.
Crewe: Read our previous article with more information on Stephen, Max and World War I history by clicking here.
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