Man, 72, to crawl across counties after World Cup bet

A 72-year-old man is preparing to crawl across two counties after betting with friends that England would win the World Cup earlier this year.

Barry Illing, 72, will set off from Down Ampney in Gloucestershire before crawling three miles (4.8km) to Cricklade in Wiltshire on 7 November to raise money for Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

He is taking on the feat after promising his friends he would crawl one mile (1.6km) if the England team won the tournament, two miles (3.2km) for second place and three for third.

Illing, from Gloucestershire, said: "I was banking on them getting gold. It [crawling] does put pressure on [your] wrists, shoulders and neck."

Dan Varley, the Wiltshire charity's senior community and events manager, said the hospice was "incredibly grateful" for Illing's "determination" and "generosity".

To make the challenge even more difficult, Illing has permanent nerve damage in his left leg after taking part in a crawling challenge to beat a Guinness World Record in 1987.

At 14 years old, he crawled on concrete for one mile (1.6km) the year after England won the World Cup in 1966, which he said was "quite an ordeal".

In the 1980s, he attempted to break the then Guinness World Record of crawling 27 miles (43.4 km) twice.

"In '87 I achieved 23.5 miles (37km) in 35 hours, but I collapsed in the end so ended up in hospital. I have nerve damage to the left foot," Illing said.

"So this is the fourth crawl for me but more challenging because of my age - now the body bites back more," he added.

Illing also told BBC Radio Wiltshire he will be wearing "reinforced motorcycle gloves" to protect his hands having suffered third degree burns in a firework accident a few years ago.

But he said he was "confident" none of his past injuries would hinder his county-to-county challenge.

"It's an exciting adventure for an old man," he said.

Illing said he wanted to support Prospect Hospice and raise awareness of the "fantastic work" hospices do across the country.

"The little bit of pain we put ourselves through is all worthwhile...my target is £1,300 which covers a nurse attending a patient's house over four days," Illing added.

Varley described Illing's support as "truly remarkable".

"After raising more than £2,000 with his wheelbarrow challenge last Christmas, he's come back with an even more extraordinary challenge.

"Fundraisers like Barry make such a difference, helping us continue to be there for local people and their families when they need us most.

"We'll all be cheering him on," Varley added.

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