A Margate great-grandfather who set out on his 90th birthday to take on a 90 mile fundraising walk across Kent, has reached the halfway mark of his epic journey.
Derrick Downs was joined by family members, Mike Bastow from Margate Rotary and Jennie Gardner from Oasis as he reached the milestone.
Having exceeded his £9,000 target in less than two days of setting off last week, Derrick decided to double it and is now aiming to raise £18,000 for survivors of domestic abuse supported by Oasis.
At the time of writing, his fundraiser has reached just over £15,000 and Juliette Lyons from Oasis says she is confident he will reach his new target by the time he ends his challenge.
Derrick began his journey on 22nd January at Western Heights in Dover and is set to conclude at Barnacles pub in his hometown of Margate on Thursday 30th January.
Today (January 27) he completed the sixth leg of his journey which saw him reach Sittingbourne in under 5 hours.
He set off from Gillingham this morning. The remainder of Derrick’s route includes stops in Whitstable and Herne Bay, which he is referring to as “the home stretch”.
Expressing his excitement and gratitude at being told he had reached his target as he arrived at the Five Bells Inn in Brabourne last week, Derrick said: “It’s cheery news. I’m very happy people have been donating so much. It motivates me even more to complete this challenge for Oasis.”
Derrick is proving to be a hero in more ways than one on this journey.
Today, he said: “I’m being pushed by the wind and the sun is poking through. I’m in good company, walking with Dr Gill Fargher (High Sheriff of Kent) and Ann West (Kent Ambassador). We came to the aid of a woman who had fallen over and cracked her head open. Rescue services arrived when we were with her.”
Claire Williams, CEO of Oasis, added: “Derrick’s dedication to survivors of domestic abuse and his fitness are inspiring in equal measure. The funds he has raised are going to allow us to change the lives of more adults and children in our community who desperately need our practical and emotional support.
“He is reminding us that it takes everyone to tackle domestic abuse, which is at epidemic levels in this country. What a legend.”
Oasis provides essential services to domestic abuse survivors, including safe accommodation, outreach programmes, and education, helping adults and children rebuild their lives across East Kent, North Kent, and Medway.
To follow Derrick’s journey, support his cause, or view his training logs, visit his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/derrick-downs-1719828821922
(bit.ly/Derrick90)
