HUNDREDS of thousands of steps were walked across the dale last month to raise almost £5,000 for cancer research.
Eight members and supporters of Teesdale’s branch of Cancer Research UK took to streets and pathways to take on the 10,000 Steps in March challenge, raising some £4,500 for the charity.
With gift aid the figure is likely to be close to £5,000.
Pam Ashmore, of the Teesdale branch, paid tribute to Brenda Thwaites, Bill Carter, Frank Ashmore, Ruth Robson, Pauline Connelly, Jenny Watson, Alison Sabey and Kath Iceton who undertook the challenge.
She added: “We are delighted. It is absolutely brilliant and a fantastic achievement by them all.
“Thank you to all the walkers and sponsors who supported the event.”
Frank Ashmore calculated that he walked about 460,000 steps and covered an estimated 200 miles around Barnard Castle, while Ruth Robson walked around her family farm in Staindrop in memory of two friends she lost to cancer.
She said: “13,000 steps is the most I did in one day.”
Elsewhere, Brenda Thwaites used a copy of A Ramblers Guide of Teesdale, printed by the Teesdale Mercury in 1965, as she ambled around Cotherstone.
She said: “It wants updating because I got lost twice.”
A further £966 was raised for the charity through an Easter draw organised by Yvonne Metcalfe.
Mrs Ashmore said: “Thank you also to everyone who donated raffle prizes and bought raffle tickets for our Easter draw. The pop-up shop will be opening for a couple of weeks in April so please pop in and see what fantastic items our supporters have been making.”
