Three lads, one 130-mile commute

Written by Sam Wilson, September 21, 2023

Three friends are taking commuting to the next level by walking 160 miles between two offices to raise money for causes close to their hearts.

Connor Slasberg, who has severe haemophilia A, has nominated the Haemophilia Society (THS) as his chosen charity for the walk, which takes place from 6 to 10 October between his firm’s offices in Northampton and Chippenham.

The trio are pictured on a training walk. They are doing a series of 25 mile treks to prepare, but their charity walk will be the first time they’ve attempted back-to-back long distances.

Connor, who works for the IT company Bechtle, and his friends, George and Will, are hoping to raise £6,000 which they will split between THS and two cancer charities, the Oddballs Foundation and Ruth Strauss Foundation.

The trio are pictured on a training walk. They are doing a series of 25 mile treks to prepare, but their charity walk will be the first time they’ve attempted back-to-back long distances.

Connor said: ‘I was inspired to do something big after watching the London Marathon but didn’t feel my body was up to that challenge! If we manage to do our walk it will be a mammoth achievement which benefits three worthy causes that mean something to us all. We’re really motivated by that.’

Treated at Oxford Haemophilia Centre, Connor’s haemophilia is now so well managed that most of his colleagues are unaware he has the condition. Connor said: ‘The walk may lead to more conversations about haemophilia. I find that for 99 per cent of the time I’m fine, but it’s that one per cent that you need to explain to people. It’s a hidden disability that sometimes people find hard to understand when most of the time you seem OK.’

Connor is raising money for the Haemophilia Society in recognition of the support he received as a child. Unusually, he developed inhibitors aged nine which disappeared again two and a half years later. It was a particularly challenging time for him and his family. Connor’s nan, Judi, was a long-standing supporter of THS and he says her death earlier this year is another reason why he wants to raise money for our charity.

You can donate to Connor’s fundraising page here: https://givestar.io/gs/9TY0QNG