Heroic author’s book to help hospice appeal

Steve Garril has written The North West Way – a book detailing a 13-day walk from Preston to Carlisle.

It has now been published by Trail Guides publications.

Steve, a history and IT teacher at St Bede’s Catholic High School in Lytham, will donate £1 from every book sold to our Hospice Heroes campaign, which aims to raise £200,00 for a much needed refurbishment at Trinity Hospice and Brian House children’s hospice on Low Moor Road, Bispham.

Steve, 56, said: “I’ve done a lot of long distance walks in the past using books which have had errors in them. I’ve walked this route four times – a total of 820 miles – to make sure it’s right.

“I really wanted to link together several paths across the North West to make one really nice walk.”
Steve’s book includes hotels, coffee shops and pubs for people to stop at along the way, most of which he has tried and tested, as well as photographs he has taken along the way and historical facts.

He was inspired to donate his profit to Hospice Heroes after a friend of his spent time at the hospice.

He said: “He died there, and his widow speaks of how good it was there so I decided to donate the royalties from the book towards them.

“It means I won’t make anything on the book but I did it because I wanted to, not to make money.”

Steve, of Squires Gate Lane South Shore, said he first thought of putting the book together around seven years ago.

It has taken him five years to complete.

“It’s just something that was on my wish list of things to do,”

“I’ve done it now and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out.”

But he may not be stopping now he’s started.

He added: “I do have plans for another one, maybe a coast to coast walk with a difference, but that’s all I’m saying.”

To buy The North West Way visit www.trailguides.co.uk

DETAILS OF HOW YOU CAN DONATE OR GET INVOLVED WITH THE CAMPAIGN ARE LISTED ON OUR DEDICATED HOSPICE HEROES PAGE.