Leicestershire friends trek to Old Trafford for Rainbows

Four friends from the Manchester United Supporters Club Leicestershire are going to great lengths to avoid matchday traffic and support Rainbows.

The group, made up of chairman Ben Bryans, secretary Kishan Patel, head of travel Andy Noble and committee member Martin Skinner will attempt the unusual way of attending a United home game on Sunday 12 May. They will walk 88 miles from Jubilee Square, in Leicester, to Old Trafford.

Starting on Thursday 9 May, ‘Trek to the Trinity’ will be the equivalent of a marathon a day for three days, plus a further 10 miles on match day. They hope to raise £5,000.

Ben (39), of Loughborough, said: “I grew up in Loughborough so I have always been aware of Rainbows and the work it does. We had a tour of the hospice and talk about emotional; these kids are true warriors and deserve everything. Rainbows give these children the best lives possible, and they need our help.

“As a group, we have always talked about doing something out of the ordinary. Walking was something we could all do but we wanted it to be a challenge and nothing that was going to be too easy.”

After roughly 33 hours of walking, the friends are hoping they will still have the energy to cheer on Manchester United against Arsenal.

Ben added: “We are training and are building up the miles steadily. It’s not just those four days, it’s three months of miles and miles of walking to get us ready for the challenge ahead.

“We really want to push and raise as much as possible for this amazing charity.”

Kerry Laurie, Rainbows Community Fundraiser, said: “This is a wonderful challenge that Ben, Kishan, Andy and Martin are taking on for us. They found their visit to Rainbows very inspiring and in turn, we are very inspired by this tough trek. It is only with the support of people like this that we can provide the services we do that are so vital to so many families.”

To sponsor the group, text MANU to 70085 to donate £3 or visit justgiving.com/page/muscleicsrainbows-1707924112664