A TEENAGER from Darlington is walking from Sunderland to Liverpool to raise money for the charity, ManHealth, after losing his father to suicide in 2019.
Cameron Dodd, along with his two friends Chloe Saxton, 17, and Kieran Blore, 18, will take on this 153 mile journey in the hopes of raising awareness of mental health.
Cameron’s dad, Steven, took his own life aged 42 in 2019 after struggling with his mental health.
Steven left behind his three children; Cameron, Hayden and Rachel. At the time they were 14, 11 and 8.
Cameron didn’t feel he could bring himself to attend the fundraiser for ManHealth that was organised shortly after his father’s death.
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Jennifer Dodd, Cameron’s mum, said: “He couldn’t really bring himself to go then and I think he’s regretted that ever since, so he really wanted to do something now to raise money for ManHealth.”
Steven was a life-long supporter of Sunderland and Liverpool so Cameron decided it would be a great idea to walk from Sunderland's Stadium of Light to Anfield in Liverpool in memory of his dad.
Cameron said: “I decided to do a long walk for this charity (ManHealth) and then the idea just randomly came to me to walk from Sunderland to Liverpool and then two mates said they’d come with me.
“If by doing this one person doesn’t have to go through what I have, then it’ll be worth it.
“I think my dad would be happy we’re doing this.”
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Jennifer said: “ManHealth was very supportive after it happened so it’d be nice to raise some money for it.
“When Cameron said he was doing this, I was worried at first but now that his two friends are doing this with him, I’m just so proud.”
The route Cameron, Chloe and Kieron have planned is as follows:
Monday April 11 - Stadium of Light to Escomb 26 miles
Tuesday April 12 - Escomb to Grinton 29 miles
Wednesday April 13 - Grinton to Malham 32 miles
Thursday April 14 - Malham to Preston 35 miles
Friday April 15 - Preston to Anfield 31 miles
Cameron, Chloe and Kieran will set off on Monday April 11 and will reach Liverpool on Friday April 15th.
To donate to Cameron's fundrasing page go to: manhealth.enthuse.com/pf/charitywalk or click here.
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