FAMILY and friends of a much-loved and popular Workington man have taken on an epic challenge to raise awareness and funds for charity, honouring his life ‘one peak at a time.’
Walk for Lloyd was set up in memory of 18-year-old Lloyd Sutton from High Harrington, Workington following his death from bacterial meningitis on October 21 last year.
He was a much-loved son to Tony and Louise and brother to Callum, 27, and Lewis, 18, as well as a grandson, cousin, and friend to many.
Speaking about Lloyd, Louise said: “If you had to build a perfect son it would be Lloyd. He was kind, caring and he always gave hugs and cuddles.”
Lloyd had achieved much success in his academic studies and was only a short time into a civil engineering degree apprenticeship with Arup ‘which he absolutely loved’ when he passed away.
He had worked in McDonald's part time whilst completing sixth form at Workington Academy and was a popular member of the school, particularly enjoying the sixth form versus teacher’s football matches that were played every Friday.
He and girlfriend Ella Dixon had been together since January 2023 and were ‘inseparable’, enjoying a holiday in Tenerife last year and many other happy times. Louise said that Lloyd had indicated that Ella would be the girl he would marry one day.
As well as being an active member of Harrington Scouts throughout his childhood, Lloyd also enjoyed football for Workington Reds 'Blacks' as well as swimming, with his father Tony saying: "Anything he set his mind to he achieved."
Following his death, a group of Lloyd's friends came together to try and raise awareness around meningitis, and funds for charity Meningitis Now.
The friends - including AJ Pearson, Matty Hall, Luke Watson, Daniel Rudd, Callum Wilson, Liam Bennett, Jamie Glaister, Ben Scott, Matthew Hemsley, Leo Wilson, Ellis Cannan and Alfie McKee among others - decided they would aim to tackle all 214 Wainwright fells during 2024.
Talking about the challenge, AJ Pearson and Matty Hall said: “We went through a few ideas. The first one was a charity football match, but it wasn’t enough.
“We wanted to do something where we had to show some dedication, we wanted to feel closer to him, so we decided on something more challenging because he put his all into everything he did.”
The idea quickly grew, with Lloyd's family and girlfriend Ella as well as many family friends joining the walks every weekend, already ticking off 29 fells since they started the challenge on January 6.
The aim is to complete all 214 Wainwrights by the end of the year and raise as much awareness and funds to battle meningitis in Lloyd's memory.
Speaking about the challenge, Lloyd’s dad Tony Sutton said: “We want some good to come from something so tragic. If just one family can be saved from going through this then it will all be worthwhile.”
To date, more than £17,000 has been raised for the charity Meningitis Now and the hope is to raise more in the future to honour Lloyd’s memory.
Anyone is welcome to attend any of the walks which take place weekly, and more information can be found on Facebook at Walk for Lloyd, or through the fundraising page here.
Lloyd's family have thanked everyone for the support that has been given since his death, with special thanks paid to Meningitis Now for their ongoing support.
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