10 year old sets off on charity trek to Old Trafford
Ben Dickinson is walking from Northern Ireland to raise money for FareShare
10-year-old Manchester United season ticket holder, Ben Dickinson, has set off on his ten-day ‘Ben’s Miles for Meals’ charity trek from Inver Park in Northern Ireland to Old Trafford, in aid of food redistribution charity, FareShare.
FareShare is the UK’s biggest food charity. It takes surplus, good-to-eat food from the food industry, sorts it in one of its 30 regional warehouses, and passes it onto a network of more than 10,500 charities and charity groups, including food banks, hostels, refuges, pantries, community centres, older people’s lunch clubs and breakfast and after school clubs for children.
By walking from his hometown of Larne in Northern Ireland to the iconic home of the Red Devils in Manchester, the ambitious ten-year-old, inspired by his own footballing icon and FareShare UK ambassador, Marcus Rashford (MBE), is hoping to raise enough money to fund 50,000 meals for the charity and change lives across the UK.
Speaking ahead of his first steps, Ben said:
“Since launching Ben’s Mile for Meals, the support I’ve received from friends, family, Greenisland FC teammates, local businesses, and famous faces, has been brilliant.
“I’m already well on course to reach my target of 50,000 meals but hope my walk to Old Trafford will get me over that line.
“I just can’t wait to get started now and enjoy the next ten days!”
Joining Ben on the first leg of his journey from Inver Park are senior squad members from Larne Football Club, Jane Gregg, daughter of Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, representatives from FareShare NI, and friends and family, with further supporters joining the schoolboy throughout the rest of the ten-day trek.
Ben’s mammoth walk will culminate with a hero’s welcome at Old Trafford on Saturday 12th March, as Manchester United prepare to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
James Persad from FareShare UK said:
“Ben’s enthusiasm and determination are truly inspirational. We couldn’t be more grateful for his incredible efforts, the money he’s raised will get food onto the plates of families and children across the UK. Thank you Ben and best of luck on the walk!”
Ben’s Miles for Meals campaign has already received support from key figures including Sky Sport’s pundit and former Manchester United player, Gary Neville, Manchester United legends Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside, and Larne FC owner and business supremo, Kenny Bruce.