A freemason and rugby player was inspired to raise money in support of the ongoing battle against motor neurone disease. 

John Newell along with his family, friends, and neighbours said he was inspired by the courage and determination of Rob Burrows, the late Doddie Weir, and Ed Slater to raise funds to support research, treatments, and awareness of the neurological condition.

John whose rugby league career spanned ten years including a stint at Workington Town and Carlisle Border Raiders clubs was inspired to walk from his home in Prospect near Aspatria to Blackpool Tower.

Many local people remember a now demolished water tower in Prospect, which inspired the ‘Tower-to-Tower’ team nicknamed the ‘Prospect Proclaimers’. The team set out along the 100-mile route on March 29 completing the challenge in less than five days.

Mr Newell said: "A group of us watched the TV programme about Rob Burrows and I had an ex-teammate who sadly died of MND, so we just wanted to do something to help". Completing the challenge was hard but it has been an experience none of the team will ever forget. We met lots of amazing people along the way including sufferers of the terrible disease.

"One day we'd been walking for 11 hours, and we were all totally exhausted when we received a video message from Gary McKee (The Marathon Man) sending lots of encouraging support which uplifted the team.

The initial target was to raise £2500 for the MNDA, that target was exceeded in no time so a revised target which we thought would be hard was set at £7777. We held a few events and exceeded the second total.

"The team at present has raised £17,900.00, with money still coming in from the sale of rugby shirts donated from as far away as Australia and various raffles."

Additionally, John, his wife, young daughter, and Bro. David Lunney attend MNDA events, raising money with bucket collections at Leeds Rhinos games at Headingley stadium, and also attended an England vs France MNDA friendly rugby match. These bucket collections alone raised £6,000.