Blisteringly good walkers step out in style

Carolyn Corbett, Helena Lord, Sarah Chipchase, Bev Chipchase and Joanne Castree

A few blisters and aching joints have been a small price to pay for a team of long-distance walkers who have raised over £3,000 in memory of two special people and places.

The thirty-two mile walk along the Rochdale Canal was the brainchild of Carolyn Corbett and Helena Lord, who were determined to give something back to Springhill Hospice and to the Royal Oldham Hospital - both cared for their loved ones - in memory of Carolyn’s father John Booth and Helena’s sister-in-law Andrea Lord.

The money will provide a hand-crafted wooden bench in their memory. It will be given pride of place near the entrance to Ward 11 at the Royal Oldham so that patients receiving cancer treatment can sit in comfort while waiting to be picked up by car. The balance of the money collected will be donated directly to Springhill Hospice to help provide patient care.

Carolyn said: “We feel proud and honoured to help these amazing places.

"We just wanted to say thank you for the excellent care that Dad and Andrea both received.”

The five fundraisers took on the challenge to walk from Ancoats in Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in Yorkshire, which took thirteen hours to complete.

Also taking part were John’s 16-year-old granddaughter Sarah Chipchase, a pupil at Crompton House School, and her mum Bev together with Joanne Castree, a close friend of Andrea.

Helena said: “These are two exceptional places who looked after our loved ones so well.

"We actually walked thirty-five miles in the end because of canal closures and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us.

"A few blisters and aching joints are nothing compared to the amount of money we have been able to raise for two such good causes.”

To donate, visit:

www.justgiving.com/50kcanalwalk