Beefy's crusade

He was never much of a walker in his playing days but these days he is playing catch up in a big way and taking it all in his stride.

In fact, some 8 000 miles later, Ian Botham has proved his shoes were made for walkin'.

Beefy is the quintessential 'larger than life' character who has always done things at full tilt, on or off the park. He has just completed his latest task which involved a mere 9 days of relentless trudging through 9 towns in the UK, all in the name of his charity work.

Since 1985 Ian has raised over £10 million pounds from 12 separate charity walks for Leukaemia research. He can proudly claim his 'walking the talk' has made a huge difference in that field. Without doubt his massive contribution has assisted in a now 87 percent chance of survival compared with only 20 per cent two decades ago.

Those who stride with Ian testify to his enormous determination and drive for the cause, as he averages 15 miles a day at 4.5 mph, which is about three times the normal walking speed.

Beefy's crusade began back in 1977 after stumbling into a children's ward at a Taunton hospital in Somerset, following a foot operation.

"I remember the day it started. I was the new kid on the block, just making it into the England side; I had tunnel vision, all I wanted to do was to become the best cricketer in the world," he recalls.

"Then I walked into a hospital ward full of kids with tubes and bandages, who were very sick. Four children were playing a board game and a doctor told me they wouldn't be around for much longer. I thought he meant they were going home after visiting friends, but he meant they would soon die from Leukaemia. I didn't even know what it was. That's how it began for me. I knew I wanted to do something to help."

Help he has.

I remember him regaling a story to me regarding one of his earlier walks in the late 80's. For some reason a publicity stunt was dreamed up that involved Beefy walking the last mile or so each day flanked by 2 massive circus elephants.

All was proceeding perfectly to plan until Ian and his trunked companions walked determinedly around the final corner towards the day's finish line. Unbeknown to Beefy, between that bend and some welcome rest loomed a fruit and vegetable store that stood out like a beacon.

Understandably the hungry elephants took note and proceeded to charge to and rampage throughout the entire store, demolishing everything in sight including the structure!

Beefy says he won't stop walking until there is a cure for Leukaemia.

The good news is that he has a memory like an elephant.