Don’t Stop Him Now: Queen collaborator retraces the band’s footsteps on epic 286-mile charity walk for the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
Producer/director Simon Lupton invites fans to support him on this month’s trek from the site of Queen’s first concert in Truro to Knebworth Park, with all proceeds to the Freddie Mercury-aligned charitable organisation fighting AIDS across the world.
“Go Simon and Ollie, you are heroes!” Lots of love from Bri.
Follow Simon’s progress at: @luppers71 on Instagram, and @the.magic.walk on TikTok
Donate at: GoFundMe.com – The Magic Walk >> https://gofund.me/505f89645
Calling all Queen fans! Having worked with the world’s most ambitious rock band for 25 years as TV, video and online producer/director, Simon Lupton now needs your help as he embarks on an epic project of his own.
“I’m going to go on a walk – and in true Queen style, it’s going to be a big one!” says Simon. “286 miles in total. With my son Ollie, I’m going to start on Sunday 26th July outside Truro City Hall in Cornwall – the venue for what is regarded as the ‘first’ Queen concert. The plan is to then average 21 miles a day, arriving at Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire, on Sunday 9th August – the 40th anniversary of Queen’s last performance with Freddie Mercury, at the end of the 1986 Magic Tour.”
When it came to choosing the beneficiary of Simon’s charity walk, the Mercury Phoenix Trust stood out as both a nod to the band’s history and a truly deserving cause. Since Brian May, Roger Taylor and Queen manager Jim Beach founded the MPT in 1992, the organisation has funded over 1,956 HIV/AIDS-related projects, with direct donations to 881-plus charities from NGOs to grass-roots operations.
As Simon explains: “I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Myanmar and see, first-hand, the incredible work being supported by the MPT in Freddie’s name, under incredibly challenging circumstances, and I’d like to do something to contribute.”
Simon and Ollie will be posting their progress on Instagram (@luppers71) and invite fans along the route to join them. Plus, as a longtime Queen collaborator – whose credits include six feature-length documentaries, 12 DVD releases, the filming of seven concert performances, 20 music videos and countless hours of online content – Simon would love to hear your memories of the band.
“If there are any Queen fans out there who we might be passing – do please give us a wave and say hello, or why not come and join us for a few miles? We can chat all things Queen along the way, swapping stories and experiences. I love hearing what this band means to people, and we’ve all got tales to tell. The company, even if it’s just for a few minutes, will be greatly appreciated.”
Most importantly, says Simon, please do give what you can to a charity doing immeasurable good, at a time when funding cuts have made public donations more vital than ever. “If any of you are able to sponsor us and help the MPT to continue their work raising AIDS awareness around the world, then we would be extremely grateful. Here’s a link to our fundraising page: https://gofund.me/505f89645.”
As for sleeping arrangements on his mammoth walk, Simon confirms he will not be taking his cue from the band’s 1977 News of the World album track ‘Sleeping on the Sidewalk’…saying: ”I’m really hoping to avoid any outdoor sleeping.”
Learn more about The Mercury Phoenix Trust at:
https://www.mercuryphoenixtrust.org
Simon and Ollie’s Journey:
Day 1: 26/07 – Truro to St. Austell (Cornwall)
Day 2: 27/07 – St. Austell to Liskeard (Cornwall)
Day 3: 28/07 – Liskeard to Tavistock (Cornwall / Devon)
Day 4: 29/07 – Tavistock to Moretonhampstead (Devon)
Day 5: 30/07 – Moretonhampstead to Exeter (Devon)
Day 6: 31/07 – Exeter to Chard (Devon / Somerset)
Day 7: 01/08 – Chard to Ilchester (Somerset)
Day 8: 02/08 – Ilchester to Stour Row (Somerset / Dorset)
Day 9: 03/08 – Stour Row to Wilton (Dorset / Wiltshire)
Day 10: 04/08 – Wilton to Andover (Wiltshire / Hampshire)
Day 11: 05/08 – Andover to Tadley (Hampshire)
Day 12: 06/08 – Tadley to Twyford (Hampshire / Berkshire)
Day 13: 07/08 – Twyford to Amersham (Berkshire / Buckinghamshire)
Day 14: 08/08 – Amersham to Harpenden (Buckinghamshire / Hertfordshire)
Day 15: 09/08 – Harpenden to Knebworth House (Hertfordshire)