Tim Harris used to be in charge at Forest Green Rovers and Cinderford Town, he was assistant manager at Gloucester City, and was a player for Cheltenham Town. But he is now in training for possibly the biggest challenge of his life - to walk up Jamaica's highest point to raise money for charity. He's been preparing for the climb for several weeks and it's involved a lot of time in the gym. Difficult "When I first saw the pictures of the Blue Mountains and Jamaica it seemed like a good idea. But the more you get into it, the more you realise it's going to be difficult", he said.  | | Tim Harris |
"I've got my own fitness instructor who's been killing me. It's a slow process because I was unfit to start with - I didn't realise just how unfit I was!" Tim is doing the long trek, which will take him ten days, to raise money for the Brain Trust. Important It's a charity that's important to him and his family after his dad Terry was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease last year. The disease is a degenerative illness that affects nerves in the brain and spine. "Until it really in the family strikes it's difficult to comprehend. You can't do anything for yourself", said Tim. "Over the last six months my dad's gone from struggling to move to not even being able to pick a cup of tea up. It can be difficult to cope with at times". Tim is aiming to raise over two thousand pounds for the charity and has been using his links with his former clubs - including Cheltenham Town, Newport County and Forest Green - to boost the total. Supportive But the people of Newent have been particularly supportive as Tim's dad used to own a shop in the town. "My dad had a greengrocer's shop in Newent for nearly 40 years and the response from people in the town has been phenomenal", he said. "People have rung me who used to go into the shop - and their children who've now grown up. "It makes me feel very proud of the sort of character he was," he said. Tim will start his walk on April the 8th 2005. You can contact Tim Harris at Sport Italia, 730 Meteor Business Park, Staverton, Glos, GL2 9QL.
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A local famous face in football is preparing for a trek up one of the highest points in the West Indies. Tim Harris is getting ready for a charity challenge in Jamaica.
