Amputee set for marathon walk for hospital
A 19-year-old amputee is set to walk 26 miles between five football stadiums to raise money for a Wolverhampton hospital charity.
Jude Aston from Penn wants to help fund a revamp of the children’s ward garden at New Cross hospital, where he was treated for complex regional pain syndrome as a child.
Mr Aston, who has cerebral palsy and a prosthetic limb after a partial leg amputation, said the charity appeal was close to his heart.
The Aston Villa supporter will join other West Midlands football fans in the "Rivalries Aside" walk between their respective grounds on 8 June.
"When I heard about the walk and who it was raising money for, I was delighted to say yes," Mr Aston said.
"I spent a lot of time in that garden and I always wanted to go back after my amputation."
Mr Aston decided to have part of his leg removed after having a reaction to treatment.
He now has a prosthetic limb, meaning he can walk unaided.
He calls himself the "AVFC amputee," and all the money he raises will go towards the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity to help improve the children’s ward garden.
The walk will start at Birmingham City, and go via Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Walsall before finishing at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He will be supported on the day by his mother Emma Aston and children's ward physiotherapist Andre King.
Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter Jason Guy is also taking part in the 26-mile walk.
The 46-year-old is raising funds for both the hospital appeal and charity Breast Cancer Now following the death of his wife.
He said Mr Aston's involvement in the event was "massive."
"I know him personally and I know the challenges he has faced," said the father-of-two.
"He was very passionate about doing it because of the great work the hospital has done for him and he wanted to support it."
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