Albufeira || British expat Michael Wood is going to take charity walks to a whole new level when he attempts a 20 kilometre barefoot hike to raise money for two causes and honour his late father, who also used to go on barefoot charity walks.
The 59-year-old from Northampton, UK, will embark on the journey on January 28, setting off from Tunes Bar, which he owns in Albufeira, at around 9am and heading towards Armação de Pêra.
His plans are to walk to there and back, and if his feet are still okay, keep walking the route as long as he feels up to it.
According to Wood, who has been living in Albufeira since 2007, any money made from the walk will be donated to the Royal British Legion and Albufeira fire station.
The event will also honour his late father Bill Wood who used to make newspaper headlines for his barefoot charity walks in Northampton.
“I don’t know how the whole barefoot business started, but knowing my father it was probably a pub bet,” he said.
“He used to run a pub back home and became known for walking around bare foot. He would also do barefoot charity walks for sick children, so I decided to do one as well in honour of him,” the bar owner told us, adding that the walk will take place on his father’s birthday (January 28).
As to why he chose the two causes, Wood said: “I used to be a soldier and police officer so now I’d like to help (the Legion) out.”
He also wants to support the local volunteer firefighters for the “excellent work” they do. “They have helped me a lot in the past and they are mostly volunteers,” he explained.
So far, Wood has raised €200 from donations at his bar, but he plans to go even further.
“I’m going to speak to a few local companies and see if I can manage some sponsors.”
Donations or sponsorship can be made at Tunes Bar or by contacting Wood.
917167303 | michaelattunes@yahoo.co.uk
By MICHAEL BRUXO
news@algarveresident.com
