This page gives me the opportunity to thank the many people who've helped and encouraged me during the planning of both the Derby walk itself and the Derby walk 2009 website.
So here goes
Firstly I'd like to Thank my Father, Wally, without who, I'd probably not be putting this together, for it was he who taught me to ride (an armchair), when he had backed a horse with a chance of winning during the old ITV 7 and as you've already seen, first took me to see the fantastic event in 1970. Unfortunately he died in January, so he wont be able to see this first hand, but I'm sure he's looking on somewhere (bloody Mill Reef). Then there's my wife Jo, Son Aaron and daughter Lauren, for putting up with me on the lead up to the walk. Colleagues a work, Brocky, Juppy, Spotter and Barry (sorry if I've forgotten anyone) who've heard of nothing else over the last few weeks, Amelisa at Starlight, for her continued enouragement, to Edward Gillespie, MD at Cheltenham, Stephen Wallis, MD at Newmarket ( both of whom are in training and intend to walk the walk) and Nick Blofeld, MD at Epsom, for your continued support, ideas and encouragement. The girls in admin at epsom, for just being there, Streamline.net for making this so easy (ha,ha), to Andrew Balding, Ralph Beckett, Kempton Park Race course, Simon Clare, David Williams for donating such great prizes, to Alistair Down and Richard Hoyles and the great Michael Church, who Actually chose the route, for your ideas right at the beginning of this concept,to the Chalk Lane Hotel http://wwwchalklanehotel.com/ , the Amato Inn Chalk Lane Epsom, the Tattersalls Tavern Knightsbridge, Holiday Inn express Epsom http://www.hiexpressepsom.co.uk/, South Hatch restaurant http://www.southhatch.co.uk/, Coombes betting shop in Morden, Pennington and Dunn Butchers in Morden, Mini Market, Cannon Hill Lane in Morden, for agreeing to allow collection tins on their premesis, to Steve and Dave, for not talking me out of this during our Friday evenings in the pub, (however daft you thought it was). A Massive Thanks to Paul at the Drill Inn, Worcester Park, to Jeff & Steve, for helping to put on the Launch party. And finally to Pat, for help, support and actually agreeing to do the whole of the walk with me. Thanks alot guys, I couldn't have done this without you. If i've missed anyone out I'm really sorry.
