Howard Kerr and friends from the UK events industry completed the 87-mile walk across The Ridgeway, from Hertfordshire to Wiltshire in aid of pancreatic cancer research, despite poor weather and ground conditions in just three days. EVENTS:review’s Phil Tobitt accompanied the walk throughout, capturing video footage and commentary along the way for showing at the celebratory fundraising Gala Dinner for the events industry to be held at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel in Central London on 30 May.

The charity walk was led by Kerr, an events industry veteran suffering from pancreatic cancer just 47 years of age. The core team, consisting of over 12 walkers and a large support team, commenced the trek at 7am on Friday 18 April. Joined by many friends, colleagues and even a horse over the weekend, they completed the hike after three grueling days of freezing cold easterly winds, rain, steep inclines and more blisters than the first aid team would care to count!



WALKING TALL: Howard Kerr and friends from the events industry


Although only able to top and tail each day, Kerr remained upbeat and enthused by the efforts of his colleagues from the UK events industry, including those from Gallowglass, Land Rover, RPM, and Eventia, all of whom completed the endurance, which is traditionally covered in five days rather than just three!

"I am astonished at the goodwill that I have encountered,” commented Kerr. "My wife and daughter joined the walk, and for me it was everything I, and they, had hoped for. The pain that everyone endured just to support a poorly recognised cancer in need of research funds and awareness was extraordinary, and I can only thank them all from the bottom of my heart for their incredible effort and support.”

The gala evening on 30 May is guaranteed to be a spectacular, with acts from Rob Bowden, a sensational newly signed singer-songwriter, Stephanie Grace, another singer tipped for stardom, and Fake Tan, arguably the best covers band in the UK. The evening comes with the mandatory charity auction, featuring sports and music memorabilia, dinner at Langhans, a flying suit from the Red Arrows and the inaugural drive of the stunning new Lightning electric supercar, plus trips around the Isle of Wight in a racing RIB and much, much more!

Tables of 10 are available now for just £1,200 in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Research by clicking here. Those unable to join the industry in celebration of its support of the charity on 30 May can donate online with Just Giving by clicking here.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the walk and showed that the spirit of the UK events industry is on the crest of a mountaintop itself! If you didn’t manage to make the walk, then now’s the chance to get involved and join the events industry in reaching the £75,000 target, which had already reached £30,000 at the time of going to press!

WE'VE MADE IT! Kerr (centre) with two fellow walkers

Howard and his family have asked EVENTS:review to extend their thanks to everyone who has supported the charity to date and to those who subsequently do so by joining them at the Gala Dinner.