Rotarians put their best feet forward to complete Stokesley Rotary Club’s 100-mile ‘Walk for Water’ event.
The efforts of the walkers, donors and supporters earlier this month helped to raise just over the targeted £5,000, which is going to the Village Water charity to provide clean water access to a Zambian community.
The walk covered the entire Teesdale Way from Dufton near Appleby in Cumbria to the mouth of the Tees at South Gare in Redcar.
Led by Ruth Mayes of Stokesley, a veteran member of Northallerton Ramblers Club, the event saw eight walkers, including three Stokesley Rotarians trek the entire distance supported by 47 other adventurers who opted to tackle individual itinerary segments – 22 of these were Rotarians.
In all, the walkers covered a combined distance of 1,431 miles.
Another heartening aspect was the way Rotary came together to provide support.”
Rotary clubs from throughout the region lent support with members from Barnard Castle, Cleveland, Redcar and Darlington joining the walk.
Rotarians from Appleby, Stockton and Sedgefield helped with logistics and donations, while Redcar Rotary provided a welcome home reception at the Cleveland Golf Club.
David Hill of Stokesley Rotary, who headed the organising committee, was among those who completed the entire walk.
“It was a fantastic event, passing through some dramatic scenery, including England’s best glacier valley,” he said.
“The camaraderie was uplifting as was the generosity we encountered along the way. People we met gave donations and even one of the B&B operators we stayed with refused payment for sandwich snacks as a contribution to the cause.
“Another heartening aspect was the way Rotary came together to provide support.”
Kirsty Mullock, Fundraising Officer for Village Water, which provides safe water, sanitation and hygiene for African communities, joined the last few miles of the event.
Declaring the walkers as superstars, she explained that the funds raised would help about 180 Zambian villagers get daily access to clean water, so they don’t have to walk miles daily to source it as currently.
“This means they can spend time doing other things, like going to school and earning a living – so you see how many lives have touched and made a difference to,” she told the walkers.
