After a life-saving kidney transplant from my friend, I completed a gruelling 100-mile walk in Storm Boelo

A Blackpool golf club head greenkeeper has completed a remarkable 100-mile walking challenge after receiving a life-changing kidney transplant from a friend, raising more than £8,500 for kidney research.

Chris Hulme, head greenkeeper at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in December 2023, when his kidney function had fallen to just 6%. Less than two years later, following months of dialysis and a successful transplant, he set out to give something back to the medical teams who helped him and support others facing similar challenges.

His challenge took him between Poulton-le-Fylde, Royal Preston Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary, with the final stretch completed on Saturday, October 24, despite Storm Boelo battering the Fylde coast.

Chris first became unwell before visiting a walk-in centre in Fleetwood, where dangerously high blood pressure prompted an urgent hospital referral. After spending five days at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, he was transferred to Royal Preston Hospital in January 2024 and told he needed emergency dialysis.

He subsequently underwent three four-hour dialysis sessions every week, facing the physical and emotional demands of treatment while trying to maintain his working life. After around five months, Chris returned to work for approximately 30 hours a week alongside his treatment. He also took on additional jobs to make up for working hours lost during his illness.

Despite the challenges, he continued to hope for a kidney transplant. When family members were unable to donate, his friend Oli stepped forward in November 2024. Oli spent almost a year undergoing extensive tests to establish whether he was a suitable match.

The pair also explored the kidney transplant sharing scheme, but after two unsuccessful attempts to find a match, they decided to proceed with Oli as Chris’s donor. On November 14, 2025, Chris underwent a successful kidney transplant at Manchester Royal Infirmary, with Oli donating one of his kidneys.

Oli was discharged two days later, followed by Chris two days after that. Chris returned home on November 18, the night before his birthday, ready to begin a new chapter in his life. Throughout the ordeal, his fiancée Jordan, family and friends provided vital support.

Turning adversity into something positive

In June 2026, Chris decided to channel his experience into raising money for kidney research, setting himself the ambitious target of walking 100 miles between Poulton-le-Fylde, Royal Preston Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary. He began the challenge on September 18, walking 32 miles to the hills around Chorley. The following day, he covered another 23 miles to Manchester Royal.

On September 20, he started the return journey, walking a further 25 miles towards Chorley. However, after struggling to fuel himself adequately, he became unwell and could not complete the challenge that day. Refusing to let the setback defeat him, Chris returned to Chorley on Saturday, October 24, to tackle the final 25 miles back to Poulton-le-Fylde.

Despite the challenging weather brought by Storm Boelo, he successfully completed the full 100-mile challenge. His efforts have raised more than £7,000, with a further £1,500 through Gift Aid, taking the total to more than £8,500 for kidney research.

Reflecting on his experience, Chris said: “I could sit here and tell you all about the times when it got to me and I cried, but the reality is that there are people far worse off than me. I wanted to give something back, and that’s when the walk came into my mind. My fiancée, family and friends have all been incredible throughout this journey.

“Who knows what path I might have gone down without them?”