Charity walk in memory of 16-month-old boy will pass through Leighton Buzzard
A charity walk covering more than 140 miles in memory of a 16-month-old boy who died from cancer is set to pass through Leighton Buzzard as part of its route.
The five-day walk is in aid of the Little Ted Foundation, which was set up by Lee and Jess Neal after the death of their son Ted.
The foundation supports bereaved families and those caring for seriously ill children across the country through financial support, food vouchers, essential comfort bags and memory-making opportunities.
A team of charity supporters, including Lee Neal and trustee Ash Anderson, are taking part in the walk, which will start at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham on Sunday April 5 (Easter Sunday) and conclude at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, on the fourth anniversary of Ted’s death.
The start and finish points have been chosen as Ted was treated at both hospitals during his illness.
The group are hoping to raise £10,000 through the walk, which will follow rivers and canal towpaths between the two cities, with a large majority of the route alongside the Grand Union Canal.
This includes the final day, a 30-mile route starting in Milton Keynes, and staying on the Grand Union Canal through Leighton Buzzard, and then on through Tring, Berkhamsted and Watford.
The walkers will then join the Regent’s Canal towards Central London, finishing at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Earlier days of the walk will cover 27 miles (Nottingham to Leicester), 26 miles (Leicester to Market Harborough), 27 miles (Market Harborough to Northampton), and 28 miles (Northampton to Milton Keynes).
Ash, a trustee for the charity and participant in the walk, said: "We’re doing this in memory of a little boy who lost his life to cancer, and to raise funds to support children and families facing the same fight.
"It’s around 150 miles on foot, and it’s going to be tough - but it means a lot to us. This is our biggest challenge yet and comes with an even bigger target of £10,000."
To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/team-ted-big-walk-2026