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2006 April 10 - 'Buffalo' to undertake 270 mile fundraising walk to help children with liver disease

A local man is setting off on a mammoth 270 mile walk across the Pennine Way later this month to raise funds for children with liver disease.

Nick Mitchell (38) from Walker is a member of The Grand Lodge of England of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) - a national social and benevolent organisation with 25,000 members nationwide.  Nick was inspired to raise funds for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) after the RAOB’s ‘Grand Primo’ (1st Officer) for 2006, Mick Walker from High Wycombe, chose CLDF as his charity appeal of the year.

CLDF is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public. Formed in 1980, the charity also provides professional, emotional support to families affected by childhood liver disease.

Nick, a technical inspector for a traffic control company is Provincial Grand Secretary of his local branch of the organisation, the Joey Grimaldi Lodge, which meets regularly at the Companions Club, close to St James’s Park Football Ground.

Nick will begin his fundraising walk on Sunday 30 April, starting from Edale in the Peak District and aiming to finish thirteen days late at Kirk Yetholm in the Cheviot Hills near to the Scottish Borders.  The walk will involve covering an average of 20 miles per day over rough and hilly terrain. Nick will also be carrying his tent and provisions - although extra rations will be provided by RAOB members who will be spurring him on along the route.

Nick says, “When I learnt of the vital work the charity undertakes I felt moved to do something to help. Having sore feet for a few days is a small price to pay for helping CLDF to continue their vital work supporting families and funding research and education programmes.”

Nick has been training hard over the past few months to prepare, doing a number of 20 mile walks carrying heavily weighted packs.  Nick adds, “Few people realise that two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK, that’s a greater incidence than childhood leukaemia.  Most of the diseases are life-threatening, all mean a life-time of care. The walk is a huge undertaking but I hope it will not only raise much needed funds, but will also raise awareness of childhood liver disease and the work of CLDF.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, says, “There are over 100 different liver diseases which affect children.  We desperately need more funds to continue our vital research, education and support programmes which help to provide a brighter future for them and their families.  We are extremely grateful to Nick for undertaking this huge challenge on our behalf.  We wish him every success.” 

Anyone wishing to sponsor Nick on his walk can contact him via e mail at mitchd381@luxtraffic3.fsnet.co.uk or by telephone on 07849348506.

For further information about Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, visit www.childliverdisease.org 

For more information about RAOB visit www.raobgle.org.uk.

- Ends -

For further information on this story please contact Rachel Markham,
Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, Tel: 0121 212 6012, e-mail: communications@childliverdisease.org

Note to editors:

Predicted walk route:
30/04/06  Edale to Featherbed Moss & Black Hill (dist 25 miles)
01/05/06  Featherbed Moss & Black Hill to Hebdon Bridge (dist 25 miles)
02/05/06  Hebdon Bridge to Gargrave (dist 29 miles)
03/05/06  Gargrave to Horton in Ribblesdale (dist 20 miles)
04/05/06  Horton in Ribblesdale to Keld (dist 25 miles)
05/05/06  Keld to Middleton in Teesdale (dist 21 miles)
06/05/06  Middleton in Teesdale to Dufton (dist 16 miles)
07/05/06  Dufron to Alston (dist 20 miles)
08/05/06 Alston to Greenhead (dist 17 miles)
09/05/06  Greenhead to Bellingham (dist 21 miles)
10/05/06  Bellingham to Byrness (dist 15 miles)
11/05/06  Byrness to Uswayford (dist 14 miles)
12/05/06  Uswayford to Kirk Yetholm (14 miles)

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation
The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public. Formed in 1980, it provides professional, emotional support to families affected and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK.

Childhood liver disease – the facts
• More children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
• At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK
• Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
• There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
• For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown
• Liver disease has no cure
• CLDF is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease

The Royal Antediluvian order of Buffaloes
The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes is a worldwide social and benevolent organisation with ‘Lodges’ in many countries which been in existence since the 1820’s. The Grand Lodge of England, whose head quarters are based in Harrogate, is the largest section of the Order, with some 1,700 Lodges across the country. In addition to support and care of their members and the community at large, each year the Grand Primo nominates a charity for nationwide support by the organisation.  There are three main levels within the order, The Minor Lodge acting at local level, The Provincial Grand Lodge acting at regional level and The Grand Lodge acting at national Level.  The R.A.O.B. at all levels supports its community and, through its charitable works, raises many millions of pounds for worthwhile causes.   The Grand Lodge of England owns two convalescent homes, one in Harrogate, where the organisation also has its head quarters, and the other in Weston Super Mare.  These provide facilities for ‘Brothers’ and their families.  Membership of the organisation is open to all adult males without distinction to social position, religious faith or political beliefs. The RAOB strives to maintain good relationships with the local community and quietly goes about supporting community projects and trying to attract like minded people to join them in the charitable works they do. For further information contact Stuart Steele, Grand Secretary, Grove House, Skipton Road, Harrogate. HG1 4LA or email stuart.steele@raobgle.org.uk