A DEDICATED football fan from Thatcham has organised a walk from Forbury Gardens to Madejski Stadium to raise money for charity and to pay respects to Reading’s terror attack victims.

Charlie Richardson, 17, has organised a walk from Forbury Gardens to Madejski Stadium on Saturday, July 18, to raise money for the mental health charity Mind.

He said those who are taking part in the walk will also be able to pay their respects to the victims of the Forbury Garden terror attack.

He explained he is also in the process of setting up a fundraising page for the victims’ families.

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The teenager said he is part of the Walk and Talk MMH charity whose aim is “bringing football fans together in unity to Walk, Talk, and save lives”.

The charity organises events across the UK where football fans walk from one stadium to another for match day fixtures.

Its website said: “We use the uniting power of football to challenge the stigma around mental health, creating a safe and supportive environment for men to open up and seek the help they need.”

Charlie has been involved in two organised walks with the charity.

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This included a walk from Fulham FC to Reading’s Madejski Stadium in October last year and the return leg on New Year’s Eve this year from Reading to Fulham.

Charlie said Mind is “quite important” to him and is close to his family.

He said the charity has “grown a lot” and its logo is now shown on the back of football players’ shirts in the Championships.

Anybody wishing to take part in the walk will need to meet outside Reading Station at 11am on Saturday, July 18, and you don’t need to be a football fan.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser click here.