SUPPORTERS of a dale charity group will be putting their best foot forward next month as they take on a walking challenge for cancer research.
Five members of the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK will be leading by example when they each take 10,000 steps a day throughout March to raise much-needed cash for the charity – and they are urging others to join in the national challenge.
Branch organiser Pam Ashmore said fundraising activities had been hard hit by the Covid-19 lockdown, with events such as the annual Pink Ladies Day and the fortnightly bingo evenings being cancelled.
She added that all cash raised goes towards helping scientists find cures for cancer and new ways of early detection of the disease.
Cash raised by the Teesdale branch goes directly to the Newcastle Cancer Research centre, which deals with kids, teen and adult cancer.
Taking up the challenge in Cotherstone are Jenny Watson and Brenda Thwaites.
Mrs Thwaites, who serves on the Teesdale branch committee, said: “We’ve had no Christmas fair, nor the coffee morning at the chapel at Easter which we have been doing for 40 years.”
She added that the challenge will be a great way to keep healthy while raising vital cash at the same time.
Mrs Watson previously took up the challenge in 2018.
She said: “It was really good. I did it with my daughter and granddaughter.”
This time she plans to complete the challenge while walking her dog along the many footpaths around the village.
Further up the dale, Kath Iceton said she would be completing the challenge by walking around Baldersdale feeding the sheep.
Mrs Ashmore’s husband Frank, will be touring Barnard Castle and Egglestone Abbey to reach the goal.
He said: “You can easily do 10,000 steps around Barnard Castle. I can do 2,000 just in the house.”
Elsewhere in the town, Bill Carter will be completing the challenge despite having to shield from Covid-19.
Anyone wanting to join in can contact Mrs Ashmore on 01833 638652 or Mrs Thwaites on 01833 650215.
People who would like to support the five walkers by making a donation can visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk. org./unite/teesdale-local-committee.
