Member Article

Retiring Judge tackles 100-mile source to sea challenge

Judge Peter Fox QC, Honorary Recorder of Middlesbrough, starts a 100 mile trek from the source of the River Tees to the North Sea this weekend to mark his retirement and raise funds for Ocean Youth Trust North.

Judge Fox, holder of the highest legal office in Teesside, retires in July following 24 years as a Judge at Teesside Crown Court and 45-years in legal practice.

The former Royal Navy Officer and lifelong sailing enthusiast is planning to complete the 100 mile route over six days, starting from Great Dun Fell - 2672 feet above sea level - on the Pennine Way on Saturday and finishing at the newly refurbished South Jetty at the entrance to Middlehaven Dock in Middlesbrough on Thursday next week.

All funds raised will go to Ocean Youth Trust North (OYTN), a youth development and sail training charity for the North of England who provide adventure under sail voyages on James Cook, a 70-foot 54-tonne yacht named after Middlesbrough’s Captain James Cook – one of England’s greatest ever sailors.

“Joining the Royal Navy as a teenager introduced me to the adventure of sail training at sea. It remains the greatest opportunity of my life.

As I prepare to retire, I am lacing up my boots because I would like young people from the North East to have the same opportunities and experiences I did by sailing in James Cook with Ocean Youth Trust North.

Sail training is a challenging experience where you form lasting friendships, meet challenges and develop a sense of respect for yourself and others. It has the power to transform a person and give young people the belief they need to get on in life,“ said Judge Fox.

The Judge will be joined by High Sheriffs of North Yorkshire andCountyDurhampast and present and staff of OYTN for the duration of the walk along the length of the River Tees.

The sponsored trek begins on Saturday June 23 and takes in iconic beauty spots and landmarks, including Cow Green Reservoir and High Force waterfall in Teesdale andMiddlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge and South Gare Lighthouse, before finishing on Thursday June 28 at Middlehaven Dock.

Steve Lennon, managing director of Ocean Youth Trust North, said: “Judge Fox has been a passionate supporter of our work for years. We can’t thank him enough for taking on this gruelling challenge. Every penny raised helps us teach young people valuable life skills through sailing.

OYTN has built strong links with schools, colleges, local authorities and youth work agencies on Teesside. As a result we now have a permanent berth at the South Jetty, supported by the Homes and Communities Agency and Middlesbrough Council, and we look forward to leading many voyages from our new home on Teesside.“

On Sunday June 24, friends, family and colleagues of Judge Fox have been invited to join the walk for a 12-mile stretch from High Teesdale, through Middleton in Teesdale to the villageof Romaldkirk.

The last leg of the trek will see Judge Fox and friends take to the water in the Tees Princess atStocktonfrom where they will sail down to the Tees Barrage. They will then transfer to the Harbour Master’s launch and two vessels from Teesside Nautical Studies to take them past South Gare Lighthouse and dock at South Jetty behind the Riverside Stadium.

The public can support Judge Fox’s walk from source to sea by pledging donations at http://www.justgiving.com/Ocean-Youth-Trust-North-Judge-Fox.

You can also donate in person at Teesside Crown Court or by sending cheques by post to His Honour Peter Fox QC, Combined Court Centre,Russell Street,Middlesbrough,T21 2AE.

For more about Ocean Youth Trust North, visit: www.sailjamescook.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matthew Moore .