Hundreds take part in Walk for Myton

Hundreds of walkers strolled into the sunshine on Sunday to raise money for The Myton Hospices. More than 440 people took part in Walk for Myton and raised over £20,000 in pledged sponsorship - smashing the event’s target of £11,500. Walkers could choose from routes of three, six or 12 miles for the sponsored walk and were invited to enjoy a picnic or BBQ and relax in the hospice grounds after the event.

Two walkers took the challenge one step further in the name of sponsorship by completing the six-mile route with fridges strapped to their backs. Ian Sumner and Sam Davidson were part of a team of friends and family walking for their former Rolls Royce Colleague Tony Wood who died in 2011. They were joined by Tony’s daughter Toni-Anne and more than 30 friends and family members who are hoping to raise £1,500 by “Walking for Woody”. Toni-Anne said: “We wanted to do something in return for all the support Myton gave my dad and our family they were absolutely amazing.”

The first to return from the six-mile route was Myton nurse Edna Hall who took part in the walk with her dog Sebbie. Among the youngest people to walk the 12-mile route were Alice Hodges, six, and her eight-year-old brother Ben who walked with their parents. Also completing the 12- mile stretch were the family of Harold Rees who stayed at the hospice in January and February this year.

Events manager Sarah Dolby said: “We had a fantastic day and the weather was just brilliant. We would like to thank all of our supporters for getting behind this event and making it such a great success and everyone who gave up their time to help on the day. All that’s left now is for walkers to pay in their sponsorship money which will make a huge difference to our patients and their families. This will include helping more people to be cared for at home with our new Myton at Home service which is coming soon.”