A man will walk a World War I route in memory of a history-loving Macclesfield teenager.

Stephen Benson will trek 26 miles across the Somme, in memory of a Macclesfield lad who unfortunately passed away from cancer.

Max Morrison (17), lost his life to leukaemia in May 2019, but his legacy lives on as family and friends will walk in his memory, as well as raising money for charity.

Stephen will be joined by with Vincent Morrison, who is the younger brother of the late history buff.

History buffs Stephen Benson (left) and Max Morrison (right). Max is pictured at Thiepval Memorial, France in 2018. Max was 16 at the time and he is holding the picture of Frank Steer who was a 16-year-old from Cheshire killed in action on the 7 July 1916. (Image - Stephen Benson / The Morrison Family)

Event organiser Stephen Benson shared a love of history with the youngster, so will raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in his memory.

Max helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Teenage Cancer Trust in his short lifetime, following his diagnosis of cancer at aged 15.

Now, Stephen Benson will hope to honour the former Fallibroome Academy pupil by raising a similar amazing amount for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and two other charities.

Stephen's July 7 hike will also raise funds for British Armed Forces charity Walking with the Wounded, and The Lochnagar Crater Foundation.

Crewe resident Stephen in training for the fundraising walk. His family will also join him. He is a Trustee at Cheshire Roll of Honour. (Image - Stephen Benson)

"I do the route quite regularly, as I do battlefield guiding in my off-time", Stephen said.

"In August 2018 I was a battlefield guide for the Leger/British Legion GP90 Tour, in my group was a young man, Max Morrison from Macclesfield.

"Max was 16 at the time, I asked him if he would help with a presentation I was going to make at Thiepval Memorial about a 16-year-old from Wallasey who was killed in action on the 7th July 1916, which is the same date we are doing this upcoming hike.

"Max agreed and from one 16-year-old to another, Private Frank Steer, age 16 serving with the Cheshire Regiment was remembered. [Pictured above].

"Unknown to myself at the time Max was in remission from cancer. 

"Sadly, a few months later cancer had returned and was more aggressive, at age 17 Max passed away May 23 2019. 

"Max loved music and had released a number of tracks; he also had a huge love of history and respect for the memory of those who have fallen in conflict. He loved the whole aspect of the First World War. He was really respectful of a generation that had fought in France at that time.

"The news of his passing really affected me. He was a 16-year-old lad who had so much life in him.

Max's younger brother Vincent will go on the upcoming walk with Stephen. Vincent was just 13 when his older brother passed away. (Image - The Morrison Family)

"I wanted to do something to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust for him, but then the pandemic started so things had to go on the back burner until now."

"But of course, it has some nice symmetry now as Max's younger brother Vincent who will be joining us on the walk, is aged 16 now.

"And this all started because a 16-year-old was remembering a 16-year-old killed in 1916. It has such a nice feel that this is the right time to do it.

"And as part of the walk, we will be walking the fields the soldier Frank Steer was killed in, and on the day that he died."

Max Morrison's two passions were history and music. He even released an EP shortly before his passing. (Image - Copyright Max Morrison)

The JustGiving page, partially in Max's memory has raised over £1426, as of publication.

Stephen initially hoped to raise £1500 split across the three charities, so it is looking like he will already smash his target before he has even taken a step on his French fundraising walk.

Landmarks on the walk include the Thiepval Memorial, which has the names of more than 72,000 peoople who died in the Somme, with no grave.

"We're starting the walk at the very northern end of the battlefield from a British point of view," Stephen added.

72,000 bodies which were never found or identified are honoured at The Thiepval Memorial, a key stop on Stephen and Vincent's walk. (Image - CC 2.0 Unchanged bit.ly/3HFltIY Chris Hartford from London UK)

"The British suffered horrendous casualties on the first day of the Battle of the Somme [which lasted form July 1 1916 to November 18 1916].

"These were people with hopes and dreams - just like us - and be able to tell their stories on this walk will be really important to me.

"It is important we educate the young people of today about the First World War, because it was such an important turning point in history.

"It was the first time the average man on the street went to fight for his country. It changed attitudes and reforms to women."

Macclesfield: You can donate by clicking the red links below. 45 people have doanted so far, as of publication. (Image - JustGiving)

Stephen is grateful for any donations.

You can donate to the crowdfunder here.

You can watch a video of Max's cancer story at the top of this article.

You can listen to Max's music here and here.

Max was a former pupil of Falibroome Academy in Macclesfield, with history and music being some of his favourite subjects. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

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