By By Jeremy DeWise
The distance from Mobile to Birmingham is a long journey by car, but try to imagine walking that length.
That is exactly what the members of Log-a-Load for Kids are doing, walking from USA Women's and Children's Hospital in Mobile to Children's Hospital in Birmingham.
According to Mark Byal, the 286-mile trip will take about two weeks to complete.
"We have been very blessed on this trip and have had no problems and are ahead of schedule," Byal said.
The group, which consists of Allen Knight, Brent Williams and Byal, averages about 24 miles a day and have had a lot of support along the way. The hikers were sheltered by Jim and Kathy Swift of Atmore Tuesday night and have had the opportunity to stay with other people during the trip.
"We couldn't have done this without volunteers," Byal said Wednesday at the stop in Atmore.
The trio is expected to hit their halfway mark of 143 miles on March 18 in Greenville. Their journey will take them up Hwy. 31 passing through Atmore, Brewton, Evergreen, and other towns on Hwy. 31. Several stops will be made so the hikers may rest, meet locals, and accept any donations to the Log-a-Load for Kids, with 100 percent of the money raised going to the children's hospitals.
Log-a-Load for Kids was founded in 1992 to raise funds for the critically ill, injured and abused children in Alabama. The goal is to unite foresters, loggers and other manufacturers of wood products, to hold fundraisers and other ventures to raise funds for these hospitals.
Each stop on the hiker's trip will hold a special fundraising event each night.
Donations may be made by calling 251-610-4969 or mailed to Children's Hospital Field Office, P.O. Box 978, Dothan, AL 36302. The hikers progress can be tracked by logging on to their website at 286miles.blogspot.com.