AN Easter Day walk by Grayshott resident Chris Grocock aims to raise £10,000 for the intensive care unit at Guildford’s Royal Surrey County Hospital.

The hospital ICU is a cause very dear to his heart, as he would have died last November without the expert medical care he received.

The 16-mile sponsored walk from Grayshott to the hospital will end in time to attend a choral Easter service at Guildford Cathedral at 6pm. It has been christened ‘Chris G’s My Heart Stood Still Big Thank You Walk’.

Chris was rushed to Guildford A&E on November 3 when he suffered a serious pulmonary embolism, which led to his heart, lungs, kidneys and liver failing.

Miraculously, he recovered and was fit enough to be discharged from Guildford on December 8.

He told The Herald: “The support and prayers I have had from all quarters – from my school, from my church, and from friends and former students – has played an enormous part in making my recovery a rapid one.

“Most of all I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my wife Sally, who watched my go through the worst stages of my illness when I was dead to the world. I am now back at work part-time and aim to be fit enough to take on a full-time role again by September.

“Since we own a lively Welsh collie dog called Zeus, walking has been a major part of my recovery plan.

“Organising a sponsored walk to Guildford gave me a challenging target and it provides me with a way of saying a major ‘thank you’ to the ICU unit.

“I’ve done two-hour sections so far but covering the whole journey in a day will be a major effort – and I am glad to say that several members of my family, friends and colleagues have said that they will come along and help.

“As well as collecting individual sponsorships and getting other participants to do the same we have set up an account for this on Virginmoneygiving, in association with The Royal Surrey’s fundraising department.”

The plan is to leave cars at various points so supporters can join in for part of the walk, if they prefer, and the hope is as many people as possible will take part.

Stopping points along the way include The Stag On The River pub, at Eashing, and Compton’s Watts Gallery cafe, Refreshments will be paid for and walkers will receive a special T-shirt. Anyone taking part is asked to make a £20 donation.

• For more information and to donate visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/ChrisGrocock or email cwgrocock @aol.com for a form.