Walking for Team Bendrigg
On Saturday 18 September, Cicerone's Lucy joined Team Bendrigg on the 21-mile Coniston to Barrow Charity Challenge in aid of Bendrigg Trust.
On Saturday 18 September, Team Bendrigg took on the 21-mile Coniston to Barrow Charity Challenge in aid of Bendrigg Trust. The team included Lucy from Cicerone Press, Lucy’s sister Zoe, Martha from Bendrigg Trust, her friends Gina (from Impact International) and Flora (from Channel Training) and, last but not least, Chris, who is a longstanding supporter of the Trust.
The team began their walk from Coniston at around 8am, fresh-faced, feet intact and full of excitement for the day.
At around 9 miles into the walk they were waved in by Sarah and Lynne, the Bendrigg support crew, with a cuppa, snacks and an opportunity to apply blister plasters, ready to take on the next phase of the walk. After some lovely words of encouragement and a little sugar, the team continued on their way
Around 15 miles into the walk at Marton, the support crew cheered on the team again, there were certainly a few more blisters by this point and for many it was a welcomed opportunity to refresh and rehydrate. After a rest, the team were in high spirits again and determined to push on to the end.
6 miles later, Lucy and Zoe were the first to walk over the finish line at Hawcoat Park Sports Club in Barrow completing the challenge in 7 hours 40 min. Closely followed by Chris, Flora, Gina and Martha all clocking the finish in 8 hours 15 min.
Team Bendrigg has raised over £2000 for Bendrigg Trust. The funds will enable more disabled people to access amazing adventure activities and trips to the specialist centre based in Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria.
Martha, Bendrigg's Fundraising and Marketing Officer: “The demand for the charities services remain higher than ever in the aftermath of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Many of our visitors have had to shield and isolate throughout the whole thing and at a time where anxiety is very high for many of our visitors; it has been wonderful to welcome them and help them to feel relaxed and free again. Many of our visitors have needed additional funding to help access our services this year, so personally I loved getting involved with this charity challenge and walking alongside other people who all cared greatly about making a difference.”
“In my role at Bendrigg, I speak to our visitors and hear about the challenges they face firsthand. I also get to read the feedback after their stay at Bendrigg. After such a tough year for so many in 2020, it has been wonderful to hear about the amazing positive impact that our services are having. Bendrigg Trust truly does change people’s lives and it is only possible due to the funding we receive. I’d like to say a huge thank you to my fellow Team Bendrigg walkers and to everyone who has donated and supported the Trust's work.”
“The whole weekend was a huge success. Very enjoyable. It is just fantastic that the person directly affected by disability comes first in all activities.”
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