Chamber member 's 'long walk home ' raises £7,500

A Sutton Coldfield Chamber member has completed an impressive 38-mile walking challenge - raising more than £7,500 for charity.

Mark Tonks, managing director of Orange and Blue UK, was supported by people from several other businesses as they completed The Long Walk Home challenge.

The walk began at the Royal Stoke University Hospital - where Mark underwent lifesaving surgery following a heart attack six years ago - and finished at his local pub, The Crown in Four Oaks.

Mark has led this event for several years since undergoing a triple heart bypass.

Having walked a road route from Stoke in 2016 and 2017, followed by a canal route in 2018, Mark was forced to walk a local route alone last year due to Covid restrictions.

But this year, he reassembled the now famous Orange Hoody Crew who between them walked more than 530 miles in completing the challenge.

Over the past six years the event has raised almost £40,000 - and this year 's total has already passed £7.5k.

Mark has chosen The Buddy Bag Foundation and The Pathway Project in Lichfield as recipients this year.

Previous recipients include The British Heart Foundation, Footsteps Conselling and Support, Sutton YMCA and Worth Unlimited.

If you would like to support Mark by making a small donation, click here.

The site remains open until 2 June.

Pictured: Mark's Orange Hoody Crew who took part in the challenge