A COMMUNITY group which helps raise funds to support families on their estate has collected more than £3,000 for a sick little boy by walking from Blackburn to Blackpool in fancy dress.

Shad Chefs - the Council Estate Food Connoisseurs - organised the 30-mile ‘Walk for Carson’ to raise money for two-and-a-half-year-old Carson Adams, who is due to have major heart surgery later this month.

On Saturday, 21 people, including Batman, Hulk and Spiderman, set off from The Foresters pub in Shadsworth, and made their way through Blackburn and along Preston New Road, stopping for breaks at The Knowles Arms, the KFC on Preston New Road, the Hesketh’s Arms pub and Evans Fish and Chips in Preston, before finally arriving at the Little Marton Windmill in Blackpool.

They were even met by Carson and his family just past the halfway mark.

Shane Calvert, from Shad Chefs, said: “Every person who did that walk should be immensely proud of themselves.

“The sense of community that was generated was nothing short of amazing.

“Not only did community organisations from Blackburn get involved, but also groups from Preston.

“We can’t thank Moh and the Shadsworth and Whitebirk Big Local team enough for the support they gave us on the day.

“Also Chris and his boys from Preston Here for Humanity, Shadsworth’s favourite landlady Sandra Kirby, and to everyone who came and picked us up - you don’t know how happy we were to see those cars and minibuses.”

Carson was born with congenital heart disease, meaning his heart is on the wrong side of his body and is riddled with holes.

Shad Chefs said they wanted to raise some money for Carson and his family for when Carson goes into Alder Hey hospital for heart surgery this month.

Carson’s dad, Chris West, also took part in the walk. He said: “When I found out they were walking from Blackburn to Blackpool I had to get involved as I couldn’t sit back and let everyone else do the walking and me just do nothing.

“At times I felt defeated, with the weather, my blisters and my legs," he added

“Carson turned up with his mum about halfway which gave us all a massive boost and I knew from when I saw him that I was going to get there - if my legs stopped I’d have crawled.

Mr Calvert said: “We’re not sure how much has been raised yet, but it’s a good few thousand."