UPS students Josh and Billy prepare for 40-mile charity walk from Scarborough to York

First-year Uniformed Protective Services learners Billy Hamlyn and Josh Wilson will hike from Scarborough Railway Station to York Minster on Saturday 7th March, setting off around 5am with the plan to reach their destination at 9pm.

Josh, who lives in Malton, is tackling the challenge in aid of Saint Catherine’s Hospice, while Billy, from Wetherby, is looking for donations to support the MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Association.

For Josh, there are personal reasons behind his choice of charity with the hospice having provided care for family members in the past.

He will also be following a route once trodden by his late uncle – although he completed the walk over two days, camping overnight in between.  

On his motivation for taking on the challenge, Josh said: “I want to shine a light on the hard work of Saint Catherine's, which is not recognised as much as it should be in our local community. They do an amazing job and care for us daily, but operate thanks to donations, meaning they can only do what they do with our help.”

Billy, meanwhile, decided to take on the walk, having witnessed how legendary rugby league player Rob Burrow raised awareness of MND prior to his death from the condition in 2024, along with the amazing support of his former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain team-mates, most notably Kevin Sinfield.

He said: “I’m raising money for the MND Association because of Rob Burrow. He was a big inspiration for me.”

After completing his UPS course, Josh intends to progress on to a university degree before targeting a career with the Ministry of Defence or Prison Service, while Billy is hoping that he can secure a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).

Both also participated fully in the UPS students’ recent Winter Clothing Drive in collaboration with the CareCent charity to support York’s homeless, unemployed and socially excluded community, while Harry volunteered at last year’s Yorkshire Marathon, along with other classmates.

Those experiences have inspired Josh and Harry to pursue other charitable and volunteering opportunities for the benefit of the community in the future, while cementing their desire to pursue careers serving the public.

“I know a lot of homeless people, so was aware what a big difference the Winter Clothing Drive support makes to them,” Josh said.

Harry added: “When we did the Winter Clothing Drive, we got to see how it helped a lot of people and they were really appreciative.”  

The furthest Josh has walked in a day previously is 25 miles, while Harry has completed a 20-mile hike before but, if their Scarborough-to-York challenge is a success, they are considering taking on the 192-mile Coast to Coast Trek from Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire to St Bees in Cumbria – again in aid of charity.

Josh has already raised £300 ahead of the walk in March and Billy has received £130 in donations.

Anybody who would like to support Josh and Billy can visit their GoFundMe pages:

Josh’s can be found here

Billy’s can be found here

Saint Catherine’s provide care and support for adults with a terminal illness and to their families, carers and friends in their hospice, people’s homes and the community.

The charity is based in Scarborough but provides care across a 1,600 square mile area across North and East Yorkshire.

All their services are provided free of charge, meaning that they rely on fundraising for the £6 million needed every year to cover the costs of their care.

The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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