21/6/10 - Update. Finally, it has been confirmed today by Group Leader Brewis that Essential Mileage have at long last completed their trek up and down the length of the country. We were up against the elements (batteries running out, people forgetting to wear their step counter), the kidnapping of one of our number (well, she decided to bail out at John O Groats leaving us down to 4 in number) indifference (cruise anyone?) - but against all the odds, we've done it. Thank you to all who have donated so far. For those of you who chose not to contribute till we completed the journey (hoping that we would'nt?), the time is now ripe for you to put your hand in your pocket and give us your money. Show us the money!!
26/4/10 - Update. Essential Mileage continue to pound the pavement (so to speak). Last week's total confirms we are now heading swiftly for Inverness on our return journey.
19/4/10 - Update. A massive thanks to everyone associated with the Darlington charity Match. The game and the weekend exceeded all expectations. Well done - your efforts are much appreciated!!
STOP PRESS: Many thanks to the organisers of the forthcoming Thomas Taylor Bowls International Charity event (to be held at Darlington Indoor Bowling Centre on the afternoon of the 17th April), who have kindly agreed to nominate ECCDS as one of their preferred charities. Efforts are already underway to raise money in advance of the charity bowls event. A select team of players from Scotland, England and Northern Ireland will come together to do battle, to "see who is best" and to enjoy a weekend of fun, friendship and bowls.
We are indebted to Thomas Taylor Bowls Ltd, the main event sponsor, and also to Darlington Indoor Bowling Club for the provision of their facilities for the event.
I would just like to say a very big Thank You to anyone involved who chooses to donate to this worthy cause. Here's hoping the bowling event is a great success with friendships established both new and old.
28/3/10 - Update. A big thank you to all who have donated so far. It makes the step-counters grafted to our sides feel more bearable as a result. I'll be adding regular updates to this page in the coming days so you can track our progress. I still intend to stop off for a breather at Berwick though, whether the others want to or not.
Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
We are a team of 5 social workers/team managers (calling ourselves Essential Mileage) who foolishly decided to sign up to a healthy workforce campaign whereby we agreed to undertake walking the equivalent of Land's End to John O Groat's within a certain period of time. Not content with that, we decided to make this a fundraising activity and double the distance by also attempting the return journey.
For those of us who are office based, car driving, unfit individuals this is no small task - it's the equivalent of 1,748 miles or 3,396,000 steps. For one of our team, the importance of the charity http://www.eccds.org.uk/ is significant and is therefore close to our hearts at the moment. We want to do all that we can to give something back and assist our chosen charity in our own small way.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now. You have our thanks for any contribution you care to make in these difficult financial times.

