University of Bolton professor to walk 185 miles for charity – at the age of 67

A University of Bolton psychology professor is to take on the monumental task of walking 185 miles in just seven days at the aged of 67 to raise money for a children’s mental health charity.

Professor Jerome Carson plans to walk from Manchester to Walsingham in Norfolk from Saturday July 20 to Saturday July 27.

It will mean completing around 25 miles each day and Jerome confesses that until now the furthest distance he has walked in one go has been 20 miles . . . and that was 49 years ago!

The marathon sponsored walk will raise money for the Hummingbird Project, a programme that aims to boost the mental wellbeing of young people.

The project is a unique partnership between the Manchester-based children’s charity, MedEquip4Kids, the University of Bolton, the University of Chester and the Open University.

Undergraduate and master’s students from the universities have helped to deliver it alongside specialist project workers Ian Platt and Sonia Ebenezer-Bamigbayan.

All the young people are asked to complete questionnaires before and after the six-week programme. The results show improvements in wellbeing and levels of hope and reductions in mental health symptoms.

So far 6,000 school pupils in primary and high schools have benefitted in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside. It is hoped that the Hummingbird Project will be rolled out nationally and internationally.

Professor Carson said: “Rising problems in children’s mental health have been an increasing concern over the last decade and especially since the pandemic.

“Hummingbird incorporates the latest research from positive psychology to improve young people’s wellbeing, help them thrive and get the most out of life. We want to roll out the benefits to thousands more.

He added: “The longest distance I have ever walked before was 20 miles and I was 18 at the time!

“I have two months to prepare myself for walking about 25 miles a day. The last day will be the shortest in terms of distance. As I am now 67, I wanted to give something back.

“We owe it to our children to give them the best possible start in life. I hope to raise thousands of pounds to help improve young people’s mental health.”

To make a donation, please visit Jerome’s Just Giving page – Jerome Carson is fundraising for MedEquip4Kids (justgiving.com).

A gift of £50 pays for one young person to receive the package.