A walk to remember

Written by | Charity, News

Friends, former colleagues and former pupils of the late Bill Wilson, Wallace High School’s much loved “Mr Duke of Edinburgh”, are invited to join together to walk in his footsteps on the May Day holiday. The school, in association with the Mourne Expedition Panel and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, has organised a memorial walk in Bill’s familiar walking ground of the Mourne Mountains in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Research.

The walk will start and finish in Donard Park and will follow forest tracks within the park. The “mini trek” is 6k and should take approximately two hours. It will be marshalled by members of the Mourne Expedition Panel and first aid support will also be available.

bill 2

The route was especially designed by Bill’s close friend Colin Henderson and it provides both beautiful views and conditions suitable for all levels of walker. Bill’s wife June recently retired from Wallace’s Prep Department and the school hope that many members of the wider Wallace family will sign up to make this event an affectionate celebration of Bill’s life.

There is a short optional walk to the top of Drinnahilly. Walkers who complete this additional route will be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view and an opportunity for quiet remembrance.

A designated website http://www.themournechallenge.co.uk has been set up for walkers to register. Ticketbud will NOT be charging for use of its facility so all proceeds from the registration will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer Research. Participants are encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends and to wear something purple in symbolic support of the work.

Bill van

The school will provide updates via Facebook and Twitter and staff members are looking forward to meeting up with former pupils on Monday May 5th. Registration is between 10.00am and 11.00am in Donard Park and every effort has been made to make this a family friendly event. Thousands of pounds were donated to Pancreatic Cancer in the aftermath of Bill’s death in November and the Bill Wilson Memorial Walk provides a further opportunity to show support for this worthy cause.

Numbers of participants will be restricted so walkers are urged to sign up quickly! Please like the dedicated Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/mournechallenge 

Last modified: March 8, 2017