Ste Lingard walks 45 miles for St Helens Mind

Ste Lingard set off on a 45 mile walk around the perimeter of St Helens at 04.30am on Sunday to raise money for the charity St Helens Mind.  After walking through Rainford and Billinge he arrived at Ashton Golf Club at 09.45 to be greeted by a posse of members eager to wish him well for the remainder of his quest which will hopefully finish around 8.45pm at the Game Bird pub on the East Lancs Road.

After thanking everyone for the good wishes, and some much needed refreshment, Ste and two companions set off on their way to Newton-le-Willows.

Ste's fundraing page explains his quest:

Back in the mists of time – before even my Dad can remember – there was a custom known as ‘Beating the Bounds’.  Come Springtime, a motley assortment of local officials, children and sundry other persons would perambulate the boundaries of their parish, engaging in a peculiarly English blend of solemn ceremony and high jinks.  Alcohol may have been involved. 

The frequency of the event seems to have varied from place to place, and perhaps the type of refreshment used, but the purpose was the same: to teach the participants – especially the young ones – the boundaries of the parish to which they belonged.  The ceremony also served a more social purpose, helping bring the local community together in a common, convivial experience.  That perhaps seems a quaint concept today, when many of us act in communities of interest more than of geography. 

Being a romantic fool (‘a flaneur’, a well-placed witness once alleged), I intend to revive this lapsed tradition.  On Sunday 21st May 2017 I will Beat the Bounds of St. Helens Borough, following the council boundary as practically as the public rights of way permit.  It is about 45 miles, and will take 15 to 16 hours. 

I am encouraging donations to St. Helens Mind, in the spirit of the community togetherness intended by ‘Beating the Bounds’ of old.  They do a wonderful job of supporting people isolated by poor mental health and receive no funding from Mind nationally. 

You can make a donation here.  Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.  It takes no commission and passes donations on quickly. 

I appreciate your support very much. Thank you.

Ste

Return to News Page

Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.