Forty years ago 250 odd intrepid Brentford fans walked from Brighton to Brentford in an effort to raise much needed funds for BFC in an attempt to stave off a hostile takeover bid from QPR. Thankfully we lived to fight another day.
Forty years on and we are still fighting for our survival. In an effort not only to raise funds for Bees United, but also to ensure that that those who saved our club in 1967 are remembered and honoured, Bees United plan to replicate the walk.
A total of 64 miles will be walked. At the moment we have 38 people, not just Brentford fans, all prepared to attempt the whole distance, at one stretch, to once more try to help our club. The organisers estimate that 20 hours continuous walking should see us arrive at our destination – Griffin Park. Others will join us on route I hope, finishing with a mass joining point at Kew Green. It is at this point that we hope to include many of the local groups involved with the Community Support Trust, giving them the opportunity to raise monies for their own organisations and Bees United, integrating BFC and BU even more strongly with the surrounding community.
A donation of 15% of monies raised will go to the charity supported by former Bee Andy Scott – Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Another ex-player Tommy Higginson, the only person to complete the walk back in ’67, also hopes to join us on the final leg along with Gordon Phillips, Peter Gelson and Paul Gibbs. Invitations will be issued to others in the hope of raising the profile of BFC, CST and BU. Those on the list to be invited include Terry Evans, Michael Turner, Jay Tabb, Sam Sodje, Steven Hunt, Bob Booker and others. In addition we hope to have as many of the original walkers as possible joining us, so far 3 or 4 of those still around have asked if they can participate.
We hope to be able to highlight the growing roles of trusts in their clubs and their communities and serve as a reminder to all those in the Premiership that life outside of the higher echelons of the game is very much tougher in terms of finances.
I appeal to anyone who can help provide us with the following items and/or services. T–shirts are to be worn by the walkers, visibility vests, support vehicles and drivers, marshals for the joining points, energy drinks and snacks are all required. We would also like to issue certificates to all who join in the walk, with special medals cast for those who complete the whole distance.
Furthermore we wish to hold a commemorative gala ball, at which the guests of honour will be the original walkers and those brave souls who attempt it this time. All proceeds raised from this part of the event through auction items, raffles etc will be donated to BFC. More details will be available shortly.
Anyone who can be of any help with the above, or who wishes to join in the walk is most welcome. I can be contacted on natasha.judge@beesunited.org.uk. Please be aware that a cut off date of 21st March 2007 is in place for anyone who wishes to walk the full distance, simply to allow us to organise the necessary equipment.