St Albans pensioner takes part in walking challenge in aid of church project
Jersey Farm resident Ken Salmon will be making 93 laps of his care home in aid of Project 50. - Credit: Archant
Inspired by Captain Tom’s exploits for NHS charities, a St Albans nonogenarian embarked on his own fundraising mission.
Ken Salmon embarked on 93 laps of his Jersey Farm care home for Project 50, with the support of MP Bim Afolami. - Credit: Archant
Jersey Farm’s Ken Salmon, 93, took part in his own marathon walk of 93 laps - one lap for each year of his life and about 10 miles in total - around Harvest Court where he lives.
He has been raising funds to support Project 50, a plan to provide enhanced disabled access, along with a kitchen and accessible toilet, at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church in Sherwood Avenue, St Albans.
This local charity is keen to provide better facilities for the community from their 50-year-old premises and building work on the first phase is due to start this week.
Ken said: “I wanted to do something to support the fundraising effort as the church does a lot to help the local community. Although each lap is only around 200 yards, it is a challenge when you use a walking frame like I do, and the whole walk has been calculated as about 10 miles in total!”
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The local community, including local MP Bim Afolami, turned out in socially-distanced force to congratulate Ken on his achievement and he has been grateful for the many donations he has received towards the church building project. He was also presented with a cake specially baked for the occasion by a local resident.
Ken added: “I have been overwhelmed by the level of generosity shown by friends and family, and by people that I don’t know, who have contributed to this project. The church is a wonderful place and I have been very happy to play my part in helping provide the facilities that we all want to see.”
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Minister Reverend Graham Clarke said: “Ken is an inspiration to us all and we are very grateful to all those who have supported this cause. We are very close to achieving the total required and are having a final push to hit the target. Although a number of our regular events remain closed at the moment, Sunday morning services have reopened and it is great to see people returning, although we do upload podcasts to our website at www.mbfc.org.uk for those who are unable to attend.”
Ken would be greatly encouraged by any sponsorship people may still be able to offer and a site for donations remains open at https://gofundme.com/f/stepping-out-for-project-50
