A COVENTRY McDonald’s worker, 84, is setting out on an incredible trek across five canyons to raise money in his son’s memory.
‘Amazing’ pensioner Eric Edwards, who works in the McDonald’s at the Gallagher Retail Park to ‘keep busy’, lost his son seven years ago after he died suddenly while out jogging.
Sprightly Eric, from Wyken, has set his sights on a 70km, five-day journey across the terrain of five imposing canyons – including those in the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA.
He is seeking donations in his fundraising effort for the British Heart Foundation charity to go towards research to prevent further lives being claimed by heart conditions.
His son, Darren Edwards, a former IT worker in Coventry, died due to a ‘heart problem’ – suspected to be a cardiac arrest.
His body was discovered near Coombe Abbey.
Darren died when he was only 49 years old but took after his father in that he was a keen sportsman and liked to keep fit.
Eric – who has lived in Coventry since he was 14 years old – will be appealing for donations until his trip in September and wants to raise £3,750.
The spirited pensioner said: “I’ve got a few aches and pains but I tend to shrug them off and, if they really hurt, take a few paracetamols.
“Or I just go down the pub and have a couple of pints.
“I like to be outside, I still cycle a fair bit.
“But I have given the cycling up a bit now because I am trying to do more walking – as well as just the odd 5k now and again.
“I can still touch my toes!”
On losing his son he said: “When he died it was sudden and unexpected. Such a shock. A lot of it is a blur.
“I just thought as he died with a heart problem, I would do it for the British Heart Foundation in his memory.”
Eric has been a part of Coventry’s changing landscape first working in General Electric Company’s factory when he left school, then moving on to Daimler and Morris Engines.
He also worked at the old Walsgrave Hospital before transferring to the new University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
He added: “I start off at Red Rock Canyon (Nevada), then one at the Grand Canyon (Arizona), then another the next day, then Bryce Canyon (Utah), then Zion National Park (Utah).
“I have been preparing by doing lots of walks and 5ks. I think I do at least as much as exercise as I do sitting down at the moment.”
To donate visit his fundraising page.
