Man walking length of Norfolk border in memory of late dad

William Upton, who lived in Hethersett for 40 years with his wife Christine, passed away suddenly of a stroke last month, aged 85.

His son, Dave Upton, from Lenwade, has paid tribute to him, saying “everyone has their heroes, and he was mine”.

“I didn’t expect when he went into hospital it would be the last time I would speak to him,” Dave said.

“He was a brilliant role model. You get children in the playground pretending to be their favourite footballers and wanting to be like them, but I always just wanted to be like him.

“He was a really nice bloke who never had a bad word to say about anyone. He would always be there at the drop of a hat to help you.”

Dave said his father was “sport mad” and “loved everything to do with sport” – playing golf three times a week when he retired.

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Dave now works for a charity called Inspire, and was previously a PE teacher at Costessey High School for 15 years. 

William started out working on the railways before joining the RAF, spending time overseas in Sri Lanka and Singapore.

He became an aircraft fitter at London’s Heathrow Airport, before working in Blackpool and later relocating to Norfolk with his family in 1983 to work at Norwich Airport.

On August 6 this year, Dave will embark on a challenge to walk the length of Norfolk’s border – approximately 200 miles – in memory of his dad.

He will hope to complete the walk across six legs, each around 35 miles, taking him along the north Norfolk coast while raising money for the Stroke Association.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Dave said.

“I’d like to say it will be a walk in the park, but I think it will be harder than that."

You can donate to Dave's Just Giving page by clicking here.