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Frank Sinatra tribute singer does it his way for charity trek
FRANK Sinatra tribute act Phil Fryer is used to big crowds – but for four days he will enjoy his own company.
He plans to walk the whole of Hadrian's Wall, 84 miles from Carlisle to Newcastle, to raise money for leukaemia research.
He is squeezing his hike between gigs which he does two or three times a week both in the UK and overseas.
Indeed, the Morley crooner will be singing at Bibi's restaurant, Leeds, on October 1 – just four days before he starts his walk.
He lost a family member to leukaemia and so he decided to devote his charitable work to research into the disease. Last December he gave a concert in Morley which raised 1,450.
Phil, now 48, used to be a marathon runner and triathlete before his singing career took off. Now he goes out walking at weekends with family and friends.
"We often do 15 miles in the Pennines," said Phil. "but this is my longest walk yet and a big challenge. I hope to average 21 miles a day.
"I am walking by myself with all the kit and plan to spend nights in farmhouses which are about a mile or so from the wall.
"I was working at a De Vere hotel when I visited Hadrian's Wall and was fascinated by it. It was the most northerly part of the Roman Empire.
"It is quite a tough terrain. The Romans built it on lumpy bits and boggy ground and I believe 10 miles of it is currently flooded. I am taking waterproofs and all my food and water – I can't rely on a shop appearing along the wall!"
Within a few days Phil has attracted 350 sponsorship and is hoping to reach 1,000. Would-be sponsors should visit www.justgiving.com/philfryer.
Phil is in demand around the country and recently performed at a wedding at Blenheim Palace. Then he was on a bill at the Dorchester Hotel hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky and he sang for the Universal Postal Congress in Geneva.
And next week he will be singing in a hotel for a group of Russian journalists based in Britain.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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