A GROUP of footballers raised £7,774 for Parkinson’s UK in memory of the owner of a children's day nursery who died in April last year.

The ten players, all from Carleton Football Club, walked 100 miles from Liverpool to Carleton last June, sleeping on the canal side, to raise money for the charity.

The walk was in memory of Carleton’s Rocking Horse Day Nursery owner, Jackie Asquith, who lived with the condition for many years.

Fundraising continued throughout 2021, with people contributing to a collection bucket at Carleton Social Club.

Jackie’s husband, Brian Asquith, Chairman of Carleton Football Club, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who donated, both by sponsoring the lads and by continuing to add to the collection at Carleton Social Club.Thank you very much to everyone.”

Rebecca Heseltine, Jackie’s daughter, added: “Thank you to all the people and businesses who provided supplies for the walk. Special thanks to Steve Richardson, who joined the lads at each stop, with flasks of hot tea, snacks, bandages and moral support.”

Jacquie McGuire, regional fundraiser for Yorkshire and Humber at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough.

“An estimated 145,000 people across the UK are living with Parkinson’s, including 11,426 people in Yorkshire and the Humber.

“I cannot thank everyone enough who took part in the challenge, donated and supported the walkers.”