By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Seventeen superb fundraisers will be walking all the way from Liverpool Football Club to Southport this weekend to support an inspirational local woman with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS).
The family and friends of Hayley Saxton will show her ‘you’ll never walk alone’ as they trek over 20 miles from Anfield, through Walton, Bootle, Litherland, along Formby Bypass, Ainsdale and Birkdale, ending with a celebratory fundraising event at The Mount pub in Southport this Saturday (18th January 2025).
They are aiming to raise £5,000 to buy an electric wheelchair for Hayley, from Southport, who has just celebrated her 40th birthday.
People can donate via her GoFundMe page here.
The fundraising walk will be crowned with a special Fun Night In Aid Of Hayley’s Independence at The Mount pub, on Manchester Road, Southport, from 7pm.
The walkers are expected to return at around 7.30pm.
People will be able to enjoy a bingo, raffle and food, with everyone welcome.
Hayleys big sister, Vicky Saxton, 43, said: “Hayley was just 27 years old when she was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, a relentless and incurable form of MS that causes gradual neurologic decline.
“Unlike other forms of MS, PPMS doesn’t go into remission, meaning it only progresses over time, impacting Hayley’s mobility, independence, and quality of life.
“Hayley has now reached a stage where she requires the use of an electric wheelchair to help get her around, but her determination, resilience, and positive spirit remain unshaken.
“Despite the challenges she faces daily, Hayley continues to inspire everyone around her with her strength and unwavering drive to live life to the fullest. Therefore we are trying to do everything we can to keep her spirit alive!
“To raise the funds for her wheelchair and raise as much awareness as possible, Hayley’s family and friends are taking part in a sponsored walk from Anfield Stadium to Southport this weekend.
“The 17 of us doing the walk include 14 adults and three children; Hayley’s nephew, Kobi, who is 8; Thomas, 10; and Drew, who I think is either 11 or 12.
“We want to raise as much money as we can for Hayley.
“It is going to be a long walk! A total of 18 miles.
“We are starting at Sandhills Train Station, then heading to Anfield before walking back to Southport, finishing at The Mount pub.
“When we reach Formby Bypass, Lol and Jenny, who used to be the Manager and Assistant Manager at Yates’s on Lord Street when Hayley worked there, will come out and walk with us. Hayley has always kept in touch with them.
“We’ll have some collection buckets with us and we’ll be stopping and calling into some places along the way. We’d love people to come out and support us, either through our collection buckets, or through Hayley’s GoFundMe page.
“We’re all looking forward to reaching The Mount at the end of the walk.
“We’d love to say a huge thank you to Jo and Joanne at The Mount for all they have done to help us. We really appreciate it.
“We are asking for your support. Every donation, big or small, will make a difference in Hayley’s fight against this disease and help keep her independence for as long as physically possible.
“Your generosity will help give hope to people like Hayley who face daily battles against a disease that currently has no cure.
“Your support means the world to her, and together, raise enough awareness we can to help pave the way for a brighter future for anyone suffering with this disease.”
Hayley has many friends in Southport after growing up, living and working in the town over her 40 years.
She grew up in Southport, along with twin sister Jenna and older sister Vicky.
Vicky said: “We were all born and bred in Southport.
“Hayley went to school at Linaker Primary School and then Meols Cop High School.
“She has always worked hard, ever since she was 14.
“She loved working at St John Ambulance. She spent 10 years running the shops for the Paskins at Southport Pleasureland.
“She worked at local pubs and bars in Southport including The George, Mulligans and Yates’s.
“She has always been very active and on the go.
“When she was 27 she went for a scan and was diagnosed with progressive MS.
“It came as a massive shock to everyone.
“Hayley has been brilliant, She has been so positive, She has been dealing with it as well as she can.
“She has done lots of things she has always wanted to do, while she has been well enough to do them.
“Hayley has been around the world travelling. She has been to places like Texas and Nevada in the US; she has been to France; to Australia.
“She really loves tennis, and has been to see tournaments at Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open.
“To celebrate her 40th birthday, she has just travelled on her own to Fuerteventura.
“It is probably the last holiday where she will be able to travel on her own.
“She has so much determination and we’re all so proud of her.”
If you would like to donate please visit: Fundraiser by victoria saxton : Hayley’s Independence.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
