This is a  big 'thank you' to everyone who has sponsored me so far for the 3rd Annual 6-mile Midnight Walk in Durham, to raise funds for our community's local hospice, St. Cuthbert's. Although this page will remain open for any further donations until 20 September, I want to let existing sponsors know now what happened on the night and to say how much your support has meant to me - and to the Hospice.

On Saturday, 20th June I joined around 850 other local women around 10.30pm at Aykley Heads, a rural location on the outskirts of Durham City, to sign in for the Walk. It had poured down almost continuously all day, but rain stopped around 10.30 pm when we all began to gather and thereafter the weather was balmy. It was a great night, with a pre-walk disco, and almost everyone wearing flashing rabbit-ears (artificial of course!) and garlands to brighten the route. The Walk itself began on the stroke of midnight and there was a tremendous atmosphere throughout. Guides with torches stood at key points along the route to guide us where footpaths across fields were muddy and slippery, and where overhanging trees made paths particularly dark. All of which added to the excitement of the occasion!  Most of us got back around 2.00am and each was given a goody bag and a medal as proof of completion - and yes, as the photo shows, I did make it, helped especially by the cheerful company of Paddy Deans, a friend who joined me for the Walk.

This is the first time that I have attempted any fundraising initiative. A six-mile walk is a modest effort compared to many but you, my sponsors, have been extraordinarily generous. Counting in gift-aid money and supplement by Justgiving, you have already donated enough to enable St. Cuthbert's Hospice to provide (for example): 

.    ONE more individual with a day-centre session (£150)
.    ONE more individual with an overnight stay (£370)

I haven't found it easy to ask for money, especially when I am sure, knowing most of you as I do, that each of you is already supporting several other charities. But in your kindness you have raised an exceptional amount for St. Cuthbert's, even though so many of you live far away from Durham. 

Thank you very, very much, everyone......