A UNIQUE fundraiser will see 20 generous volunteers get carried nearly ten miles on a stretcher as they honour a ‘local legend’.

The ‘Stretcher Walk’ has been organised by the family of John Beard, who lost his life in March at the age of 64.

Over the years, the man from Bolton-upon-Dearne - who lived in Doncaster in his later years - raised thousands for charity and now his daughter, Laura Cook, is hoping to live up to his legacy as she’s organising a sponsored walk to take place on October 12.

The fundraising event will have 20 people carried on stretchers across 9.7 miles, starting from John’s home in Doncaster and working to Wath.

Laura told the Chronicle: ““There are no words I could use to do my dad the justice he deserves - he was a local legend.

“Even in his death, his name and memory alone raised £3,500 for St John’s Hospice at Balby.

“His family wish to keep his legacy going, so after careful thought, we decided to support The Clothing Bank.”

So far, Laura’s fundraiser has raised £610 from only 12 donations, with a month left for her to reach her target of £1,500.

The money raised will pay for a clothing donation bin at Cortonwood Miners’ Welfare in John’s honour.

Though Laura can’t take all the credit for the fundraising idea, as even after his death, John is managing to inspire her.

“After delving into the archives I found a very old photograph from the 1980s of my dad and friends doing a sponsored stretcher carry,” she added.

“So what better way to raise the money than to recreate this.

“People’s kindness and generosity never fails to amaze me and the support we get from people who knew and loved my dad is wonderful - they are helping to create a lasting legacy to him.”

https://www.gofundme.com/f/raise-money-to-create-a-lasting-tribute-to-john-beard?attribution—id=sl:78cc89f7-687f-421b-ac26-622d9028d03d&lang=en—GB&utm—campaign=fp—sharesheet&utm—medium=customer&utm—source=copy—link