The leader of a walking group in Royton has been nominated to carry a torch at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee due to his fundraising efforts that benefit the local community.
Mick’s Royton Walking Group has been a success since its inception in 2016 – and now the leader of the group, Mick Bowskill, has been nominated by fellow walkers to carry one of 70 beacons at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event on June 2.
Up to 70 extraordinary locals in Oldham will be chosen to honour the landmark event.
The 57-year-old is not just an enthusiastic walker and organiser: he’s an army veteran, full-time carer to his beloved wife, avid charity fundraiser and a key figure in the Royton community.
Having joined the army at age 16 and serving for 12 years, Mr Bowskill then worked for Oldham council on the security services team.
He then retired at the age of 53 to help his wife, Billie Bowskill, who suffers with multiple sclerosis.
But he says Mrs Bowskill has been his “rock” and has backed him in all his endeavours “100 per cent”.
One such endeavour includes his enormously popular walking group, which now boasts a generous membership of almost 600 members and raises hundreds of pounds for charity.
Mr Bowskill said the group was established after he started walking every day with an army friend for health reasons.
Then, he said: “I got talking to a friend of mine over a drink in the pub who jokingly mentioned I should set up a walking group.
“She [said] she would join me as she didn’t like walking alone in the dark.
“I thought about it, went home, mentioned it to my wife and she said ‘do it’.”
He set up a walking route that very night and posted it on Facebook – and the rest is history.
After some members thought they ought to pay for Mr Bowskill’s planned walking events, he instead encouraged members to nominate a local charity every month for the team to raise funds for.
To date, they have raised money for prostate cancer, Maggie’s (cancer care centre), Mahdlo Youth Zone, Royton foodbank, Rochdale AFC Military Veterans and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice among others.
There was £400 raised for the Gain Charity which supports people affected by Gullian-Barre syndrome.
The group gather at the end of the month at Royton Rumours bar in the precinct where a raffle is held and all the proceeds go towards their chosen charity.
Mr Bowskill said: “That’s what we do and it feels fantastic.”
The pandemic wasn’t without challenges for the group either as the ‘rule of six’ meant the group had to split off.
However, a leader was nominated for each group to continue the trails – and Mr Bowskill set tasks and games for the groups to play along the way.
One game was to take a photograph of animals, flowers or something relating to a letter of the alphabet in some way.
The group then discussed what they had found on Facebook.
Mr Bowskill said: “The group has brought people together – they didn’t know each other before and now some are best friends and socialise outside the group.
“We all support each other. We celebrate birthdays, go out for meals and drinks – for some it has changed their lives.”
Joanne Turner, an NHS receptionist, is a member who has cast her vote on Mr Bowskill to be one of Oldham’s Jubilee torchbearers.
She says he is “more than just a walk leader” and deserves the chance to represent the town.
Ms Turner said: “I have nominated Mick for lots of reasons.
“He runs the walking group and puts a lot of time and effort into the routes.
"And it’s all voluntary.”
The 51-year-old reiterated that the pandemic meant the walking group had to adapt but that it proved vital for mental health purposes.
She said: “Some people may not see, chat or interact with others, so this was great for mental health.
“So many friendships have been formed through meeting people in this group.
“Mick will help anybody – he isn’t just the group leader, he is our friend”, Ms Turner added.
Mr Bowskill will find out on Monday, fittingly his 58th birthday, if he has been given the chance to carry the torch.
“What a great birthday present that would be for me”, Mr Bowskill said.
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