‘Walk & Talk’ raises over £4,000 for learning disability charity

‘Walk & Talk’ raises over £4,000 for learning disability charity

CAROLINE Marsh, a person supported by national learning disability charity Hft, recently raised over £4,000 for the charity’s 60th birthday after embarking on an eight-mile hike in Cheshire.

Caroline set off on her route from Hadlow Station to Parkgate, along the Wirral Way in Cheshire for her eight-mile round trip. The walk was in aid of Hft, a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities to live independently.

Caroline was joined on her adventure by Nancy Marsh, friends, Hft staff and other supported people from the Hft Cheshire service. There were 14 walkers who set off on the hike (including Dexter the dog) and they stopped off for a much-earned lunch of fish and chips along the way.

Caroline said:

“I really enjoyed the walk. It was a good day. It reminded me of the previous time I did a big walk for Hft when I climbed Ben Nevis and raised over £3000.”

Caroline’s mum, Nancy Marsh, shared a similar sentiment:

“It was a good day. The atmosphere was very special. When we got back to the Hft house, one of the people who shares accommodation with Caroline and had not been able to join insisted on going out with her Zimmer. She managed to walk further than she had done for a long time, wanting to give her support to a very worthy cause!”

Caroline was initially inspired to take on the challenge as Lyndsay Gittins, Cluster Team Manager for Hft Chester and Merseyside, agreed to take on a skydive if Caroline agreed to complete her walk. The walk took place one week after Lyndsay raised £800 for Hft with her skydive, rounding up an incredible week and some fantastic achievements for both Lyndsay and Caroline.

In total, Caroline has raised an incredible £4,024 for Hft which will go towards supporting adults with a learning disability to live the best life possible.

Community Fundraising Manager, Emma Macdonald, said:

“We are so proud of Caroline for embracing our Walk & Talk Challenge to raise funds that will support people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible. The last few years have been incredibly difficult for everyone, and it’s so inspiring to see people like Caroline going above and beyond, with her fantastic family and support workers by her side.”

Caroline is just one of the many people taking on Hft’s ‘Walk and Talk’ challenge to celebrate 60 years of Hft. The event was created to inspire people to connect with others in the community to help combat loneliness and isolation among adults with learning disabilities. Previous research by Hft found that over a third of people with a learning disability often feel lonely. Walking and talking with someone is a proven way to boost health and well-being, deepen new or existing connections, and combat this loneliness.

If you feel inspired by Caroline and her incredible achievement, you too can take on a ‘Walk and Talk’ by going to Hft’s website. You have until the end of November to take part. While Caroline’s eight-mile walk and the money she raised for Hft is particularly outstanding, you can tailor your walk to fit your needs and ability.