Sponsored walk organised in memory of well loved dad-of-two who died from Covid-19

The Shad Chefs, a community group based in Shadsworth, have organised a sponsored walk in James's memory after the father-of-two sadly lost his life on February 16.

So far 56 business have sponsored the Shad Chefs on their 42-mile walk, raising a total of £4,505 after just five days.

One of the Shad Chefs, Shane Calvert, 39 said: "We want this to be something they [the family] can look back on for the kids to say 'when our dad passed away all of Blackburn united around us, they did this, they set up sponsors for us.'

"He was a well liked character from Shadsworth. People are really pulling together.

"The way the businesses have jumped on board I really didn't expect it to be this big."

Known as Peach to his friends, James, who had Crohn’s disease, was a huge fan of Liverpool Football Club which inspired the group to take on the mammoth challenge.

Shane will be joined by other Shad Chefs Lee Rennox, David Adams, Lee Monk and Craig Shankly as well as James’s brother Peter Murphy and 39 others who will be walking or cycling the long journey.

A GoFundMe page, which was set up by family friend Kelvin Martin, raised over £10,000 in just 48 hours, and has now raised over £18,500 to support girlfriend Keli Bell and his children Arthur and Matilda.

Speaking after the GoFundMe page was launched last week, James’ father, John Murphy said: "When we spoke to the lad that set up the page, I came up with the idea of how to use the money.

"I want them to turn around to their mum and say 'I've got a dance school I want to join can I use the money off my Dad' or money for Christmas so that he is still involved in their life.

"The children are five and seven - in ten years the memory of their dad is going to fade and I don't want that."

The group are planning to walk from Shadsworth to the football stadium on June 12 in small groups to allow them to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines.

A list of the businesses and what they have donated:

Beloulee - Personalised T shirts for the Shad Chefs.

Tewwstep - £50

Smart Delivery - £50

Khyber - £100

Hot n Tender - £50

Cake Box - £50

Wright's Bites - £20

Toll Bar - £100

Memorial Cleaning - £50

L&D's Munchies - £30

Custom Joinery - £500

Cherry Castles - £50

Patel's - £50

Moos Hampers - £50

YH Property Services - £50

Fairy Waxmother - £50

Healthy Indian - £100

Sarah's Beautylicious Body Products - £50

All You Need Occasions - £100

RipRock - £50

Tom's Shop - £500

Project Print & Design - £50

JLF Waste Removals - £100

Karen Nash Photography - £50

Premier Food to Go - £50

Vape & Smoke - £100

Waxy Wonder Scents - £30

Sham Sharif - £50

Eastern Delight - £50

Smokey Bros Kitchen - £40

Cohen James & Ava - £50

Carnivorez Blackburn - £200

Hustlerz - £100

Calypso - £50

Brownhill Corporate Hire - £50

Ali Raj Feniscowles - £50

Mega Munch - £500

DJ Shifters - £30

Fast Scrap - £100

Village Cars Whitworth - £30

Intack Inn - £50

Precious Moments and Party Supplies - £40

Lexies Luxury Hampers - £30

Moppets Cleaning - £40

Pearce Home Improvements Ltd - £100

Cayla Michelle Photography - £50

Rollason's Barbers - £50

Danny's Disco and Karaoke - £20

The Cooking Pot - £25

The Health Chef Ltd - £100

DJ Autos - £50

Cakes and Bakes by Summer - £50

Feng Shui Care Home - £50

Veterans Living History Museum - £50

Iso Lift - £50

Northwest Hydrographics - £50