Caring Mansfield man Garry Watkinson completed a 50-mile sponsored walk over 20 hours in March to pay tribute to those who died during the pandemic — and to thank NHS staff for their work during the past two years.

Garry walked the length of the River Maun — from between Sutton and Kirkby to West Drayton, near Markham Moor — and then returned to King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton.

He said the thousands of steps on the walk — together with those in training — represented one for each person who died with coronavirus during the pandemic.

Garry, 52, who works at Eviosys, Sutton (previously Crown Aerosols, originally Metal Box), raised money for the Sherwood Forest Hospitals General Charitable Fund — and donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/myshortwalks.

“Thank you for all your support and donations,” he said after the marathon effort, which left him with pain and cramps on his return home.

“Please help me raise money in recognition of the hard work of all in the NHS and to to remember all those who have lost their lives during the Covid pandemic.

“The NHS has been on the frontline of this crisis. From doctors and nurses, to administrators and cleaning staff, these essential workers are helping people with or without the virus and are working long and very busy hours through this testing time.

“This event was to acknowledge all the hard work that the NHS staff have done since we have had this pandemic and also the number of people who have died of Covid.”

Garry explained how he started at 9pm on Friday, 4th March, and was fortunate to have good weather conditions.

“It was quite pleasant all night,” he said. “The only thing was when I got to Whitewater Lane bridge, just after Ollerton, there was a bit of flooding, which didn’t look that bad until I stepped on what looked like good ground and found it was deeper than my boot.

“I managed to get on to the bridge to carry on and found somewhere to change my socks. The rest of the way to the A1 and West Drayton was uneventful.

“I had my breakfast just after dawn at McDonald’s and headed back. By this time it was a little cooler and there was a little rain.

“When I got to Mansfield my feet and legs were feeling the exertion of the walk, but I was still fine.

“As I got to Field Mill Pond a friend from work found me and we walked together to King’s Mill Reservoir, where my son and mother were waiting. My son and I then walked around the reservoir and up to King’s Mill Hospital together to the finish, where my mother and daughter were waiting, thankfully to give me a lift home!”

To make a donation to Garry’s fundraising go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/myshortwalks