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Pensioner Barry Illing to crawl across two counties after World Cup bet
Overview
Seventy-two-year-old Barry Illing is preparing to crawl three miles from Down Ampney in Gloucestershire to Cricklade in Wiltshire to raise money for Prospect Hospice. He undertook the bet based on England's performance in the World Cup earlier in the year, promising to crawl one mile for a win, two for second place, and three for third after England finished third. Illing, who has permanent nerve damage from a previous crawling challenge in 1987, aims to raise £1,300 for the charity.
Key points
- Barry Illing, 72, is crawling three miles from Gloucestershire to Wiltshire on 7 November.
- The challenge stems from a World Cup bet where he promised to crawl three miles if England finished third.
- He is raising money for Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, targeting £1,300.
- Illing has permanent nerve damage in his left leg from a previous 1987 Guinness World Record crawling attempt.
- He plans to wear reinforced motorcycle gloves to protect his hands due to previous third-degree burns from a firework accident.