A FORMER member of staff at The Witham was so moved by the arts centre’s plight she headed to the hills to raised hundreds of pounds for the £30k in 30 days appeal.
Maddy Sutton undertook a 12-month internship at the complex before taking on the role of audience development officer.
She left to complete a degree at York University.
Now living in Duns, in the Scottish Borders, and about to start work as a music teacher, word reached her about The Witham’s plight through friends back in the dale.
Wanting to help, she tackled the Lakeland Ten Peak Challenge, 17.5 miles in the Lake District which racks up 2,500m of ascent.
An avid climber, she completed the challenge earlier this month.
Her efforts have raised £275 – surpassing an initial target of £200 – and she hopes to top £300.
She said: “The Witham is very special to me.
“It’s a gem of an arts centre and was the place that invested in beginning my career, training me in arts marketing, administration, venue management and outreach education.
“To lose it completely would be devastating.”
Ms Sutton, 26, added: “It is a real lifeline to people – even if they don’t realise it.
“As well as offering arts in a rural area, it can simply be somewhere for people to go for a cup of coffee.”
Anyone wishing to organise their own event for The Witham can do so via the appeal’s online fundraising page mydonate.bt.com/charities/ thewitham.
Among those who have is the centre’s cafe manager Suzanne Wallace, who is running 15km on treadmill at Teesdale Leisure Centre on Monday, September 3.
She hopes to raise £500 and has received £230 in pledges so far.
