Father to Undertake Charity Walk in Daughter’s Memory, Marking Her 21st Birthday

Santino Sellick, 43, is set to embark on a walk from London to Wolverhampton, fulfilling a lighthearted promise he made to his daughter, Maria Sellick, when she was alive. This journey, three years after Maria’s death at 17, will commemorate what would have been her 21st birthday. The endeavor is part of Mr. Sellick’s commitment to charitable activities, serving as a tribute to Maria’s compassionate character. Mr. Sellick stated, “We want her to be remembered for her positivity, infectious laugh and for helping others.” On 29 November 2021, Maria experienced a sudden cardiac arrest while en route home in Wolverhampton, following a day of work experience at a local school. During an interview with BBC Radio WM, Mr. Sellick recounted his wife’s call, informing him that Maria had not arrived home at the expected time. As he was driving back, he brought his car to a halt three streets from his residence “for some unknown reason.” Mr. Sellick described the scene: “I saw blue flashing lights. Something inside me just said ‘follow that’ and it led me to her. She was in the back of an ambulance getting CPR.” Three months subsequent to her death, the family discovered that the cause was a congenital hole in her heart. Mr. Sellick mentioned that medical checks for the condition ceased when Maria was two years old, after doctors assured the family it “would not have an adverse effect on her life.” He stated that the family endured profound grief “for months and months,” and he repeatedly questioned the circumstances of her death. He remarked, “She was an angel. All she did was smile, laugh – she had an infectious laugh – and she just wanted to look after people who were less fortunate than herself.” “We were just stuck in this dark bubble of grief,” he added. However, upon receiving gift boxes from other families who had experienced similar losses, Mr. Sellick began to redirect his grief into other pursuits. Since then, he has committed to fundraising in Maria’s honor, accumulating over £3,000 for Wightwick Hall School, her former educational institution. Wightwick Hall School has also established the Maria Award, which acknowledges “the spirit of being a good friend, student and role model.” As 7 January 2025, Maria’s 21st birthday, draws near, Mr. Sellick expressed his resolve to undertake a significant act. He recounted, “I always said to Maria when she was alive, as banter, that I would walk from London for her – I wouldn’t need a bus fare, I wouldn’t need a car.” He explained his decision: “As it was approaching her 21st birthday, I thought ‘what can I do?’ and all of a sudden, in my head I heard ‘I’ll walk from London for you’. So that’s what I’m doing.” Mr. Sellick’s 124-mile (200km) journey is scheduled to commence at Trafalgar Square on 2 January, with an anticipated return home by 7 January. He further stated, “There are going to be no hotels, no restaurants for food, or anything like that because we want to experience the hardship.” He indicated he would carry a tent for sleeping and intended to draw attention to various issues during the walk, such as mental health and homelessness. Funds generated will be directed to the Maria’s Legacy fundraiser, benefiting organizations such as Wightwick Hall School, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), and care homes. Mr. Sellick affirmed, “We will try to always continue Maria’s legacy… she’s the inspiration behind everything.”