Family of Kevin Read to take on charity walk in his memory

In the early hours of tomorrow morning, Saturday 5 September, the family and friends of former Warrington Town club director Kevin Read will take on a charity walk in his memory, raising money for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Kev’s Walk for The Christie will begin at 4am, setting off from the GXO Stadium.

The walkers, which include Kev's children Chelsey and Brad, will make the journey to The Christie in Manchester before heading back to the finish line at Warrington Town Hall - a journey of just over 40 miles.

Kev, who had been involved with the football club since January 2008, sadly lost his battle with cancer at the age of 62 back in January 2025.

He bravely fought the disease for more than five years, and during that time, both The Christie and Warrington Town meant an incredible amount to Kev and his family.

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Kev's story, written by Chelsey Norton

Back in summer 2019, we got the devastating news that my dad had been diagnosed with cancer.

In true Kev Read style, he took it like a champ and never for one second let it take away his fighter spirit.

He faced operations, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and endless amounts of medication all with a smile on his face. During his battle, The Christie Hospital Manchester became a place that not only took exceptional care of my dad, but supported all of the family along the way.

The treatment he received was truly incredible, and we will be forever grateful to the staff who worked tirelessly to give him the best quality of life.

My dad, who at first was given the prognosis of potentially two years, made it to just over five! Becoming a complete medical phenomenon whose determination astounded everyone, his positivity and fearless spirit became something he passed onto others when he became a cancer buddie and supported other people going through their own diagnosis.

Even when speaking to staff now, they remember my dad. They remember his smile, his laugh and his infectious personality that lit up every room he was in, even when it was a room on the ward.

Sadly, my dad lost his battle on 5 January, 2025.

We couldn’t have done the journey without The Christie, not just because of the medical expertise they provided which gave us five precious years with dad, but the family feel you got every time he was there. It’s not just a hospital: it’s a very special place that offers so much more than just cancer treatment.

Without the dedicated fundraising efforts and generous contributions from fundraising events like this, more ground-breaking steps forward at The Christie wouldn't be possible.

With your donations, you are helping them carry out more research, give more people the very best treatment and care - and save even more lives than they already have!

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