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Steve's making tracks on great railway journey
A former railway worker is travelling to the furthest points of the rail network to raise money for charity.
Steve Harrison, 50, of Wellingborough, began his trip at the town's railway station at 10.32am yesterday.
The first leg involved travelling to London where he caught a train to Inverness in Scotland.
By the time his travels are complete on Wednesday, he will have visited all the furthest points of the rail network, including Thurso in the north, Arisaig in the west, Lowestoft in the east and Penzance in the south.
All the money he raises will go to mobility charity Whizz Kidz which supports young people such as his 20-year-old step-daughter Kat, who has cerebral palsy and is a young ambassador for the organisation.
He said: "I feel a bit of trepidation but I'm really looking forward to it. I've loved railways all my life so travelling around Britain's railways is a great way to combine my passion with fundraising for Whizz Kidz.
"I've seen how Whizz Kidz improved Kat's confidence and freedom."
He said the fundraising had been going well and in particular thanked members of Rushden Historical Transport Society for donating money and allowing him to advertise his venture on their noticeboard.
The marathon train journey will also involve a personal sacrifice for Mr Harrison who has challenged himself to give up his 30-year smoking habit.
He said: "On the first day, I won't be able to have a cigarette until about 8pm because smoking is banned on trains and at railway stations. I've been smoking on and off for about 30 years so it's about time I stopped."
To break up his journey, Steve will be visiting friends along the way.
As well as collecting sponsorship money, he is also doing a guess-the- mileage competition for friends and ex-colleagues.
He can afford to do the journey because railway trips are part of the entitlement for former workers.
Anyone who wants to sponsor him can pledge money at www.just
giving.com/aroundbritainrailride.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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