Gearing up for the 18th year of The Toby Challenge

Bill Todd – Honorary President of Wallsend Harriers – has been a much-loved figure at the club since his retirement from running.

Following the passing of his wife, Linda, on New Year’s Eve 2007, Bill set up a Tribute Fund in her memory. This was inspired by the £3,000 raised in lieu of flowers at Linda’s funeral for St Oswald’s Hospice, where she had been lovingly cared for.

Although Linda wasn’t a runner like Bill, she was well known to the Wallsend Harriers community through her regular attendance at the club’s many social events. Bill and Linda shared a close friendship with Kevin Payne, Bill’s running partner, and his wife Judith. After Linda’s passing, Kevin and the Wallsend Harriers were determined to do something special to remember her.

Originally, the first two Toby Challenges were organised by Kevin, along with Ged Lee and Gareth Huxley. In the years that followed, Kevin continued to organise the event, with David Collinson joining in for the past decade – making it very much a team effort.

What began as a one-off fundraiser – The Toby Challenge – has now been running for 18 years, raising over £27,000. Combined with other efforts, the Tribute Fund now stands at over £65,000.

The Toby Challenge is an annual, self-funded cycling event, typically covering around 188 miles over three days. This year, Northern Rail have generously supported the cyclists with free travel to Carlisle, while Shiremoor Dental Practice – Kevin’s dentist – has once again donated £250 to help cover the support vehicle and fuel costs.

This year’s route follows The Reivers Route, starting in Whitehaven, continuing to Carlisle, then through Kielder Forest and Kielder Water, crossing unspoilt Northumberland, and finishing in Tynemouth. In a change from tradition, the cyclists will be riding the route in reverse – from west to east rather than the usual Tynemouth to Whitehaven.

The event begins on Thursday, with the first overnight stop in Carlisle, followed by Friday night in Bellingham.
Kevin Payne, Wallsend Harrier and organiser of the Toby Challenge, said: “I am proud to remember Linda in this way, and it has become an important date in my diary.

“Although I no longer run because of injury, I still attend every session as a coach and cycle alongside the runners. I also cycle an additional three to four times a week and swim daily. I will be cycling the whole route.”

Good luck to everyone taking part from all of us here at St Oswald’s Hospice.

To donate, head to: Kevin Payne is fundraising for St Oswald’s Hospice Limited