Fleetwood Town supporters are being encouraged to join their Wigan Athletic counterparts on an epic walk to the game to Highbury Stadium this weekend - and help a north-west child with an incurable, lime-limiting disorder.
Over 100 Wigan fans - including chairman David Sharpe, chief executive Jonathan Jackson and club legend Emmerson Boyce, along with Fleetwood Town chief executive Steve Curwood - will be putting their best foot forward by walking all the way from the training ground in Euxton to the Fylde coast for the big game!
The walkers will be supporting Wigan-based charity Joseph's Goal, raising awareness and funds towards a cure for the rare genetic disorder, NKH.
After his parents were told at birth he wouldn’t survive for more than a few days, Joseph has proved to be a little fighter and turns nine next month.
He continues to live with this life-limiting condition - which causes regular seizures and affects development - and funds are much-needed to fund critical research into finding a better treatment and, eventually, a cure.
Starting at 0900 on Friday, the walkers will set off from Wigan’s training ground and journey 20 miles to Blackpool, with a few stops on the way for food/drink/refreshments before retiring to their hotel for an evening meal and rest.
On Saturday, walkers will be up bright and early to walk the remaining 12 miles, taking in Blackpool Tower, the promenade and Thornton Cleveleys, before arriving at Highbury Stadium in good time for kick-off.
Fleetwood fans are invited to join them at any point on Saturday morning in what is hoped will be a real show of solidarity from the football family.
Email walk4joseph@gmail.com for more details of how you get involved, or follow @JosephsGoal on Twitter.
David Sharpe, Wigan Athletic chairman, said:
“I’m first of all looking foward to raising awareness for Joseph’s Goal, which is a fantastic cause for a special little boy.
“The walk in comparison to what Joseph’s battled throughout his life is merely nothing, but it will be a very enjoyable couple of days and it will be great to spend plenty of hours with the supporters of Joseph’s Goal - and hopefully rounded off with a Latics win!
“I will now have to start taking the stairs rather than lifts as my training schedule for the walk!”
Jonathan Jackson, Wigan Athletic chief executive, added:
“It is a brilliant initiative to raise money for Joseph’s Goal, and increase awareness of the important research that continues to be done into NKH.
“It will be a challenge but it will also be great fun, and I look forward to sharing the two-day experience with everyone who will join us on the 32-mile walk."
Want to take part?
It’s simple, just email walk4joseph@gmail.com to receive all the details you need to get involved.