Borough pensioner's amazing charity mission to help poorly children

The kind-hearted pensioner is putting his own health issues on one side to support others.
Kenny KerrKenny Kerr
Kenny Kerr

Kenny Kerr is taking part in the REU23 challenge that North West charity Reuben’s Retreat is running throughout May.

The Glossop-based organisation, which provides a home-from-home for youngsters with life-limiting or threatening conditions and their families as well as bereaved parents and siblings, has asked supporters to do 23 of something to raise cash.

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Kenny, 79, knows about Reuben’s Retreat as his daughter Stacey works there and was determined to do his bit to help.

Despite suffering from COPD and emphysema Kenny decided he would get his walking shoes on and will walk 23 laps of a circuit around Atherton next month.

On his fund-raising page Kenny said: “I am walking 23 laps around the block on May 23 to raise money for Reuben’s Retreat.

“I have visited The Retreat a few times and I know the work they do there is making such a big difference.

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“I am a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great- great-grandfather and couldn’t imagine any of my children or grandchildren being ill or worse.

“It won’t be easy as I have many breathing complaints but I will take my time and my inhalers and I will get my laps done for Reuben’s.”

Kenny will walk from Howe Bridge and from Rivington Street around Leigh Road and then back again via Bridges Street, and is hoping the public will support his efforts.

He said he has been inspired by Captain Tom Moore who aged 99 walked laps around his garden during lockdown and raised millions of pounds for the NHS.

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Kenny said he is also passionate about Reuben’s Retreat and its work as he and his wife sadly suffered a stillbirth before Stacey was born.

He said he understood the grief parents face when losing a child, and expressed relief that charities like Reuben’s Retreat are now there to help as there were no such services for him and his wife when they experienced their family tragedy.

Kenny’s inspirational determination to help the charity has already struck a chord online, with more than £180 being donated to his fund-raising page.

Reuben’s Retreat offers a number of services including counselling, holistic therapies, peer support groups, UK respite breaks and are also fund-raising to renovate the retreat.

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To find out more about Kenny’s challenge or donate visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=KennyKerr2&pageUrl=1

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