82-year-old marathon man's incredible 850-mile 'trek' helps to transform a community hub in Kibworth

Alan Pyke inside the Well in Kibworth with Kay Witcombe cafe manager, Christine Pierce volunteer and trustee and Emma Dowman centre manager.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Alan Pyke inside the Well in Kibworth with Kay Witcombe cafe manager, Christine Pierce volunteer and trustee and Emma Dowman centre manager. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

A vital Harborough village community hub is being transformed – thanks to a marathon man who raised thousands of pounds by walking an incredible 850-mile virtual epic.

Alan Pyke, 82, trekked from Land’s End to John O’Groats over almost four months as he relentlessly tramped around his retirement home in Stuart Court, Kibworth Beauchamp.

The indomitable retired vicar raised over £4,000 as hundreds of people from all over Harborough flocked to support his one-man mega marathon in the spring and summer supporting The Well on Kibworth’s High Street.

Alan Pyke outside the Well in Kibworth with Christine Pierce volunteer and trustee, Kay Witcombe cafe manager and Emma Dowman centre manager.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Alan Pyke outside the Well in Kibworth with Christine Pierce volunteer and trustee, Kay Witcombe cafe manager and Emma Dowman centre manager. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“I was amazed and delighted with the amount of money I generated – people were ever so generous.

“And as a result we have been able to carry out some excellent work to overhaul and improve The Well,” said Alan.

“We’ve managed to refurbish and modernise the kitchen – and make it far more user-friendly for our volunteers.

“It will be much easier and better now for them to cook meals for customers in our kitchen.

Caroline Geddes food bank volunteer and Emma Dowman centre manager in the Well food bank.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Caroline Geddes food bank volunteer and Emma Dowman centre manager in the Well food bank. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“At the moment, of course, they’re only able to do takeaways.

“So we are looking forward to getting back to normal in 2021 and being able to offer a full service again.

“Thanks to the generosity of Leicestershire County Council and others we have also been able to move into the empty GEMS charity shop next door to us.

“We were hoping for a minor miracle to be able to continue to offer our foodbank service and our prayers were answered,” said Alan.

Inside the newly furbished Well cafe thanks to charity walker Alan Pyke.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Inside the newly furbished Well cafe thanks to charity walker Alan Pyke. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“We were given a grant to adapt and convert the shop for our express needs – everything has fallen into place.

“We support struggling people and families in Fleckney as well as in Kibworth.

“We are so pleased because it’s absolutely crucial that we go on getting behind these people.

“No-one should have to go hungry in the UK in 2020 – it’s just not acceptable.

Inside the Well clothes shop.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Inside the Well clothes shop. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“if you would like to help us you can donate food through the Co-op stores in Kibworth and Fleckney.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to our 30 or so volunteers.

“They’ve been magnificent, they are the heart and soul of what we do here and without them there would be no Well.

“So a huge thank you goes out to each and every one of them,” said Alan.

You can find out a lot more about The Well by visiting their website here: https://www.thewellkibworth.org