Bereaved dad 'astounded' at end of stadium walk

A man who walked 70 miles (113km) between two football stadiums in memory of his son said he was "absolutely astounded" to be greeted by two Premier League footballers on completing the challenge.

Richard Abrahams and his friend Martin McBrien walked from Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium to the home of West Ham, the club he supports, to raise money for two charities.

His son Luke died aged 20 in January 2023 from sepsis and necrotising fasciitis (NF).

Mr Abrahams, of East Hunsbury, Northampton, said he was "shocked" when Hammers players Edson Alvarez and Konstantinos Mavropanos presented him with a shirt signed by the Premier League club's squad.

The shirt will be a raffle prize at the annual football tournament in Luke's memory to be held on 28 June at Roade Football Club, in support of The Lee Spark NF Foundation and The UK Sepsis Trust.

The charity walk began on Monday, with the pair arriving at London Stadium at about 14:00 BST on Wednesday.

Mr Abrahams said he "couldn't even talk" because of the emotion of completing the challenge and that he would think of his next charity fundraising idea after his "legs and body are back into shape".

He said he and Mr McBrien had covered about 32 (51km) miles on Tuesday alone, setting off at 08:30 and not arriving at their hotel until 22:30 - about 75,000 steps later.

Luke was initially diagnosed with tonsillitis and then sciatica after developing leg pain.

His condition worsened, and on 22 January 2023 he was taken to hospital, where doctors discovered the full extent of his illness.

In an attempt to save him, his leg was amputated, but he died the next day.

His death was originally recorded as being down to natural causes, and no inquest was scheduled.

However, after his family got legal assistance, the coroner agreed to hold a hearing.

The inquest opened and adjourned in November 2024, with the next hearing set for June.

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