Callum and Jamie set out to raise funds and awareness for two charities
Jamie Wright, left, and Callum Simons before setting out to carry a concrete block from Hull to Skegness (Image: Donna Clifford/Grimsby Live)
Two friends who set out to tackle a gruelling walk shouldering a 13.5kg concrete block all the way from Hull to Skegness have posted about the mission, which was completed on Sunday (January 25) evening. Calling themselves the Concrete Block Foundation, Callum Simons and Jamie Wright aimed to walk 60 miles, starting from The Deep in Hull and ending at the clock tower in Skegness.
The journey took its toll on the pair, with Jamie unfortunately having to pull out eight miles from the finish. When they were 13 miles from the end of the walk and having just completed the Lincolnshire Wolds section of the journey, Jamie posted: “I am absolutely broken.
“We are motivated by the people beeping and waving, it makes us want carry on. Each step hurts and we will be arriving at the clock tower in Skeg by 5, even if Callum has to push me in a trolley.”
Jamie posted again later, saying: “Evening everyone, Jamie here from The Concrete Block Foundation. I want to build a bit of a statement of gratitude and solitude, for everyone and ourselves that have spent so much working towards this project.
“As you are aware I had to bow out, eight miles from the finish line. I had pushed myself too much and Callum had carried me most of the way.
“He is aware, like most, of underlying health issues but I promised myself I’ll keep going till I drop, and I dropped. I want to congratulate Callum on carrying on alone, in the dark, to see our mission complete.
“We started it in Hull two days ago and he has finished it at the clock tower this evening. I personally want to thank each and every person that has backed this ridiculously hard (but now apparently possible) mission, all the kind and gracious friends we made on our journey, those that beeped and waved.
“Honestly, it’s them waves and that support that got me as far as I could. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to EVERYONE and much love from Jamie.
“Maybe we should avoid the Wolds next time. Lincolnshire not as flat as they make out!”
The men were raising money and awareness for Harbour Place, in Grimsby, and the Lighthouse Construction Charity. The day after the finish, the Concrete Block Foundation posted an update.
It said: “We’re continuing to push to raise funds for both brilliant charities. It’s been a brutal privilege.” Their crowdfunding page remains open.
Callum and Jamie had pledged to carry the block, a symbol of the emotional burden people collectively carry around with them, all 60 miles without letting it touch the ground at any point in the journey. Callum said before setting out: “This is a big deal for us, we grew up together; we’ve been through certain things together.
“We’ve both had struggles at work and with our mental health. The concrete block is a visual reminder of the weight anyone struggling in life carries; it’s a lot of weight on their shoulders.”
Jamie had earlier said: “It’s such a bad idea, really, but we want to make people and ourselves proud. And they are two great causes we are doing it for.
“I wouldn’t pick anyone else but Callum for this challenge, because I know he’ll see it through.”