WALKERS, including the grandfather of the six Philpott children, have this morning set off on an 80-mile trek in their memory. By 1.30pm they had managed to reach the half-way stage of their first leg which takes them to Benington, 20 miles from the seaside resort.
Jim Duffy will be joined by his son, Keiron, and Bryan Mosley, godfather of Jesse Philpott, as 30 hikers take on the challenge.
Their aim is to cover 20 miles a day and finish in Osmaston Park on Saturday for a fun day that has been organised on what will be the first anniversary of the blaze. Mr Mosley, 45, said: "We left the clock tower at Skegness at 10am and the response from the public has been great."
Mr Mosley, 45, was a friend of Mick and Mairead Philpott and is a brother of Paul Mosley, who were all found guilty of starting the fire that killed the children.
He said: "I felt I needed and wanted to put something back to thank the community for the way they rallied round after the fire.
"Jesse was my godson and he was a cheeky little lad and I loved him to bits. I knew all of the children very well and they were all my little mates.
"I work at the Royal Derby Hospital and I saw them being brought in on that morning, which was horrendous.
"It broke my heart and it still upsets me talking about it now."
Mr Mosley said Donna O'Connell, who lives in Victory Road and knew the children, will drive the group to Skegness and follow them each day carrying supplies and tents that they will sleep in at campsites en route.
Today they plan to walk from Skegness to Benington; tomorrow from Benington to Asworby; Thursday from Asworby to Belvoir Castle; and Friday to a campsite near Bulwell, Nottinghamshire. On Saturday they will take on the final leg to Osmaston Park.
Mr Mosley said: "Jim Duffy and his son, Keiron, will be taking part and Jim struggles to walk, so we have a wheelchair and will push him when he needs it.
"Richard Philpott, the elder brother of the six that died, was hoping to do it as well but he can't now due to work commitments.
"My brother was one of those who was found guilty of the crime and I think we now need to move on and away from the trial and remember the kids."
Mr Duffy, 64, is the father of Mairead Philpott and said he wanted to take on the challenge despite walking with the aid of a stick.
He said: "I'm taking a wheelchair just in case but I'm hoping I won't need it.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge and I think the thoughts of my grandchildren will spur me on."
Cash raised will be donated to the group Catch Me When I Fall, which was set up after the fire, and will be used to help sick children in Derbyshire.
To show support, visit the Catch Me When I Fall Facebook page or e-mail catchmefacebook@hotmail.co.uk.
