MORE than 1,300 miles were added towards a charity’s target in just a day when 55 people took part in a 25-mile socially-distanced hike.
The walk, organised by Barnard Castle resident Mike Dodgson and his friends Rory Edwards, Jos Lewandowski and Mark Patterson, aimed to rack up as many miles and pounds to the Maia Mouse Foundation’s Walk the World campaign, which was launched in May.
The foundation, of which Mr Dodgson is a trustee, was set up Gemma and Joe Baum, in memory of their daughter Maia Olivia Baum who lost her battle with a rare condition in 2016, just before her first birthday.
Before her death the couple made sure Maia enjoyed as many experiences as possible and the foundation now provides grants to help families of children with life-limiting conditions so they too can make magic memories.
Mr Dodgson and his friends had been adding their own miles to the total, but came up with the plan of organising a socially-distanced group walk to make a big dent in the target of a combined 25,000 miles.
He had hoped about 40 people would take part but was delighted so many donned their waterproofs and got involved.
Mr Dodgson said: “It was absolutely bucketing down on the morning and I did wonder if anyone would turn up. But they did and there was about 55 that did the full route and added 1,375 miles to the total.
“We’re about three quarters of the way to the total and the foundation has agreed to extend the campaign so we can get to the finish line.”
The Walk the World aims to get people donating £1 for every mile walked. The campaign has so far raised £16,000.
Everyone who took part kept to their own family groups with a staggered set off from Scar Top. They followed the Teesdale Way to Middleton-in-Teesdale and back, with several rest stops on the way.
Mr Dodgson added: “It took us about eight-and-half hours to complete the walk and although we said we would all meet back at Scar Top, the weather looked like it was going to turn for the worse so we didn’t. It was quite a mix group of walkers so it did take us some time.”
Buoyed by the support, there are already plans to arrange another walk with a little less taxing route.
He said: “We have talked about doing another walk – one that’s a little easier on the legs, possibly part of the Teesdale Way from Barnard Castle to Winston, alongside the river.”
Visit www.maiamousefoun
dation.org.uk or the Facebook page @maiamousefoundation for more information about getting involved.
