Following his diagnosis, Howard embarked on a series of activities with the aim of raising awareness and providing funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, and specifically for sponsoring ongoing research. In April 2008, even while battling against his illness, Howard, accompanied by 12 industry colleagues, walked the Ridgeway, an ancient track running from Hertfordshire to Wiltshire.
Howard lost his personal fight against Pancreatic Cancer last August, but his brother-in-law Nick Grecian, managing director of events crewing firm Gallowglass, has taken up the challenge for 2009 on Howard's behalf, with friends and supporters who had joined the original walk.
Nick Grecian told L&SI Online: "Last year's fundraising activities raised in excess of £80,000, which was used to create a PHD Studentship Award. This funded a student working at Barts Hospital's Institute of Cancer. Our goal for 2009 is to raise the funds to maintain that award for another year."
On 1-4 May, the 85-mile Howards Way Walk will start from Wall's End in Newcastle and continue to Bowness-on-Solway. It is expected that 20 walkers will cover the distance over four days with three nights' rest - posing a considerable challenge as the usual duration of the coast-to-coast trek is six days.
In an account published after the first Howards Way Walk, one of the participants said: "The concept of rallying the Events Industry to support their own was a solid one, the response made us smile, thank you from us all."
For more on Howard's Walk, and for information on how to donate to the cause via JustGiving, please visit the website below.
(Lee Baldock)
