Gavin Leonard is aiming to complete a unique charity challenge in time to watch his beloved Dons on Saturday.
Beginning today, the Wimbledon fan will walk 60 miles around all 12 professional football fields in London in an effort to earn $5,000 for St Peter’s Hospital’s Neo-Natal Unit.
That will serve as a token of appreciation to the Chertsey facility for the essential care that the personnel gave to his infant son Lorcan.
“We are doing the walk to raise funds for the Neonatal ICU at St Peter’s, Chertsey, and Tommy’s – the baby charity,” stated Gavin. “Achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, is a hereditary disease that my son Lorcan was born with. Despite the fact that Lorcan is now a happy and healthy eight-month-old who shouldn’t have many medical problems in the future, his ailment required him to spend his first few weeks in the NICU.
“The personnel there provided incredible care for Lorcan and support for me and my wife, Emma, and we would like to return the favour by organising this campaign. The funds we raise will be used to purchase supplies for newborns who are oxygen-starved. Additionally, we are funding Tommy’s research into early pregnancy and loss.
This afternoon at 2:00 PM, Gavin will begin his charity challenge from Brentford FC, accompanied by his close friend Simon Arscott. The goal is to arrive on Saturday afternoon, giving him plenty of time to take his spot for the crucial match against Salford. Gavin will be the happiest man at Plough Lane.
Gavin continued, “Since coming to South West London from Ireland eleven years ago, I have been a Dons fan. “I’d already been keeping a close eye on the biggest story in football since the Championship Manager (now Football Manager) games introduced me to the Club. I’ve followed the Dons both at home and away since arriving to London, and I own a season ticket. March is my wedding day started with a pint of Crazy Gang Ale in the Phoenix Pub!
“I am aware that Lorcan is eager to accompany me to games; he recently said “Womble” as his first word and enjoys watching reruns of Ronan Curtis goals with his father. Actually, when Mat (Haylock) wrote Lorcan’s name on the back of his first outfit at the Club Shop, that was the first person, other my wife and I, to know his name!
