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Man Sits on 76 Benches for 70th Birthday Fundraiser
24 Apr
Summary
- Roy Howard sat on 76 benches to mark his 70th birthday.
- He raised nearly £2,000 for the Lily Foundation charity.
- Howard has mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder.
Roy Howard recently celebrated his 70th birthday with an extraordinary challenge: sitting on 76 benches. This unique event took place at Westonbirt Arboretum and served as a fundraiser for the Lily Foundation, a charity dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease.
Howard himself lives with this rare and complex genetic disorder, which was diagnosed in 2024. He experiences significant fatigue and hearing difficulties, and uses a walking stick. His fundraising effort aimed to increase awareness and provide financial support to the foundation.
The Lily Foundation was established in 2007 by Liz Curtis in memory of her daughter, Lily. The foundation works to combat the disease, for which there is currently no cure. Howard's challenge successfully raised nearly £2,000, a sum greatly appreciated by the foundation for its significant contribution.
Despite the physical struggles involved, Howard expressed immense satisfaction with his accomplishment, highlighting the importance of the cause. His map of 'hidden benches' guided participants through the arboretum during his remarkable endeavor.
