Arrival at the Millennium Stadium prior to the 2006 FA Cup final
In late 2000, Phil Whittaker was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Phil was a keen sportsman, a good golfer, an avid Manchester City fan and had been a Detective with the Nottinghamshire Police for over twenty years.
Towards the end of Phil's battle, he was nursed by some very caring Macmillan Nurses. Phil recognised that the work the nurses had to do was very daunting and generally unpleasant, but he was truly amazed by the care and compassion shown.
Sadly in December 2001 Phil passed away and in July of 2002 and, at his own suggestion, 46 friends, family and colleagues played for the first ever Phil Whittaker Charity Golf Trophy.
Since 2002, the Phil Whittaker Fund has made an annual donation to both Macmillan and to Cancer Research UK. The fundraising events over the years have been varied but included charity football matches, raffles, auctions, sponsored abseil events, a sponsored silence, half marathons and in the last two years, sponsored walks.
The sponsored walks have not been the usual 20 mile affairs but something completely different. Rob and his son Duncan, then 13 years old, both avid West Ham fans vowed in 2005 that if West Ham got to the FA cup final in 2006 they would walk to Cardiff for charity. After 7 days and 164 miles, Rob, Duncan and their friend Stuart arrived in Cardiff to watch the FA Cup final. The walk and the 2006 golf day raised a massive £10,000.
In total, Phil's friends, relatives and colleagues have raised just under £23,000 since 2002.
Our thanks to Phil's wife and daughter and to his friend Stuart Kinton for allowing us to tell you this story.