A YORK dad is calling on people to join him on a 20 miles 20 pubs fundraising walk in York.
Sid Gornall, who lives in Holgate, is determined to fundraise after his son was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of a life-limiting illness.
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As The Press reported earlier this month, Sid was part of a five-strong team - along with his manager, Dave Measom, Danny Adams and Tom Bissett who are all from York and John Marshall - another Mito dad from Lancaster, whose daughter, Ruby, has mitochondrial disease - who ran The Snowdonia 24hr Ultra Challenge.
Now on Saturday, September 21 he's holding York's first ever 20 mile, 20 pub sponsored walk to raise money for two very important charities.
The walk coincides with World Mitochondrial Disease Week and the aim is to raise as much money and awareness as possible for The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and The Lily Foundation.
As The Press has previously reported, his son Bill, who is now 12 and goes to Manor CE School, was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease MELAS in 2020, a rare disorder that begins in childhood and mostly affects the nervous system and muscles.
It is a degenerative condition affecting the mitochondria in your cells which provide 90 per cent of the energy for them to perform properly. If the mitochondria are unable to produce energy for the cell it dies and the organ the cell is supporting can fail.
In the latest challenge participants will embark on a 20 mile walk across York, whilst stopping at 20 pubs along the way.
Sid said: "You can have a drink in every pub, or none at all; but you will be flying the flag for Mito, raising awareness and sharing the word - fighting Mito, finding hope.
"Once you have completed registration, further information regarding timings, the route and fundraising information will be sent out to you.
"We can't wait for what will be an incredible day, making an incredible difference and hope to see you there."
The walk will set off from The Fox in Holgate after they open at 11am and Sid says there's no obligation to do all 20 miles. Entry is £20 and everyone taking part has a personal £50 fundraising target.
Last year Sid was recognised in the Community Pride Awards and named Charity Fundraiser of the Year for his work.
Speaking to The Press in 2023 Sid explained that Bill, was struggling to walk any distance and needed a wheelchair to get around. After fundraising for a powered wheelchair, he said Bill is now doing really well at school.
To follow the family's story further go to their JustGiving page here and on Instagram @bills_mito_battle
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