A group of friends have completed a 100-mile sponsored walk to raise funds for their West Ham United supporting mate, who suffers with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The group, who met after studying together at the University of Leicester, includes Hammers fan Joe Martin, who was diagnosed with MS back in 2012 whilst training for a charity marathon.
Joe has been a West Ham fan since attending his first game in 1993, a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town.
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While at the University of Leicester, Joe was extremely active, both in sport and in student union politics.
However, the seriousness of his condition now means he can no longer play sport, go out to socialise or even leave his house alone, with his mobility, speech and vision all heavily impaired, making even the simplest of tasks a real struggle for him.
On the weekend of September 9-11, ten of Joe’s friends set off on an 103.1 mile walk from the University of Leicester to the London Stadium in order to raise funds for Joe’s new home, so that modifications can be made to it in order to help live with more normality and independence. These modifications include being able to take himself to the bathroom and make a cup of tea.
So far, the group have raised just north of £36,300 for Joe’s new home but have more fundraising plans in the pipeline, including a series of auction lots. Any funds left over after the renovations have been completed will be donated to the MS Society.
The group were due to meet Hammers captain Declan Rice at the end of their walk and the club had planned to lay on a tour of the London Stadium for Joe. However, the game with Newcastle United on the weekend of the walk as postponed due to the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. There are however plans to re-organise the tour and meet Rice at a later date.
To donate to Joe’s fund, you can do so by clicking on their GoFundMe page HERE.
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