A bus driver is trying to ease the “cost of survival” crisis as he sets out on a daunting 105-mile challenge across the region to help others wracked by hardship.
Neil Atherton, 43, from Widnes, previously trekked 150 miles of bus route tarmac on foot in 2020 to raise cash for food banks amid the turmoil of the pandemic but the price of basics and fuel surging, he will be hitting the road once again to bolster support for those struggling. The former winner of Arriva’s Made a Difference and Ultimate Champion awards will be lacing up to walk seven Liverpool City Region bus routes in seven days in late October and said he hopes that by expanding the initiative across a wider area will give more friends and colleagues the chance to take part.
Funds raised are to be divided between the Trussell Trust food bank charity and Whitechapel homeless centre. Starting with the Bootle 11 circular on Sunday, October 23, Neil will be following up with the Speke 86A the day after, then the Southport 46 circular on October 25, before marking the mid-point of the challenge with a 24-miler along the 79C route from Runcorn through Widnes on Wednesday, October 26.
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“Bus Walker” Neil will be walking the Birkenhead 409 circular on Thursday, October 27, and Green Lane 27 circular on Friday, October 28, before completing the epic charity feat with a 16.65-mile hike along the route taken by the St Helens 10A on Saturday, October 29.
Neil told the ECHO the challenge has been in the works for a couple of months and he was inspired to act due to the “cost of living going through the roof”, which has led to people mulling “bizarre” and “frightening” decisions over how to make their money go further.
He said: “We’re all struggling. The walk’s about highlighting this region is struggling. One of the charities is the Whitechapel homeless charity.
“Anyone can be homeless - it doesn’t mean I’m a drug user or an alcoholic, it can be divorces and having nowhere to live.
“They’re struggling as much as anyone.”
Neil, who is also an instructor as well as a driver, has invited the public to take part in the walk with him and other bus drivers and staff with the “more the merrier”.
He said: “I’m walking 105 miles again to raise money and awareness of the impacts of the current cost of survival crisis.
“People are simply struggling to survive.
“We need charities like Trussell Trust and The Whitechapel Centre to help people at this critical time.
“I’m asking people to donate £1, if they can, and join us in supporting those in our region who need our help most.”
Anyone interested in donating or for more information or enquiring about taking part can visit Neil’s “Bus Walkers” justgiving page, and he can also be found on Twitter at @Vaccinebusman, on Instagram with the handle “athertonneil” and on Facebook under his name “Neil Atherton”.
The appeal has already raised more than £400.
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