Northumberland businessman, 82, takes on Pennine Way challenge for kids' special needs charity

Bent Henriksen, managing director at Morpeth-based nutritional supplement maker Pharma Nord UK, is almost half way through the trek.

He is walking alongside his son Troels to help raise funds for the Newman Holiday Trust, which provides holiday breaks for children with special needs.

It is the latest in a series of challenges which the Danish-born businessman has undertaken at a time of life when most people are putting their feet up.

In the last 10 years, Bent has successfully climbed Africa’s tallest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in the Alps – Mont Blanc – and Europe’s highest mountain – Mount Elbrus in Russia.

He is walking between 16 and 17 miles a day for three weeks to complete the Pennine Way, which stretches from Edale in the Derbyshire Peak District to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. He hopes to finish on September 19.

Bent said: “I’ve enjoyed taking on challenges my whole life. I’ve done marathon running, mountain climbing and now an endurance walk.

“I keep myself physically fit and active – I trained for the Pennine Way by walking at least 10 miles a day for the last two months – and getting into the outdoors is something I really enjoy so this combines the two things perfectly.

“As well as the challenge of completing the route, there is the opportunity to see some of England’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery along the way.

“We’re raising money for a really good cause too. We’ve already raised £7,500 and we hope to finish with around £8,500.”

The Newman Holiday Trust provides week-long residential summer holidays for children with special needs, catering for over 120 children aged 5-16 each year.

Troels, a finance director who volunteers at the Newman Holiday Trust, said: “This year, because of Covid, we’ve had to cancel the holidays which would have taken place, which was a real shame for the children as they and their families get such a lot out of them.

“We thought the least we could do was try to raise a little money so that 2021 and beyond can be even bigger and even better.”

You can donate to the appeal at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/troels-and-bent-do-the-peninne-way

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