A GROUP of friends in Teesdale are preparing to embark on a 26-mile charity trek to help people living with cancer.
The team of four ladies and two men have signed up to take part in the Lake District Mighty Hike in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on Saturday, July 14.
Andy Matthews, Hayley Matthews, Nigel Mawer, Alison Mawer, Lisa Marshall and Suzanne Tweddle are hoping to give their fundraising efforts a boost with a charity coffee morning ahead of the big event.
Hot drinks and refreshments will be served at Barnard Castle Methodist Church hall on Saturday, April 21. Everyone is welcome between 10am and 12pm.
Teesdale Athletics Club member Suzanne Tweddle, from Barnard Castle, said: “I have done a lot of running such as the Great North Run for different causes but this is the first time I have done this for Macmillan. It struck a few chords with us. I think we could probably all tell our own story as we all have friends and family touched by cancer. It is a great cause.”
The 26-mile route will start at Dalemain House and Gardens, near Penrith, and finish at Lowther Castle.
The group has been training regularly to prepare for the charity walk. They have been getting the steps in with numerous walks around the dale. Each member must raise a minimum of £250 to take part in the hike.
So far, the group has managed to collect almost £1,000 in donations.
Ms Tweddle said: “We get together once a month to do a big walk. In between that we do meet up for walks to try to up the mileage.
“I used to run half marathons but this is another hurdle. It is undulating ground to walk on so I think it is going to be quite a challenge. We are really looking forward to it.” To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthewsmoorhens2018.
