A NORTH-EAST charity will donate more than 1,000 pairs of walking boots to children following the success of its first fundraising campaign.
People from across the region have taken part in The Big Smile, a series of 50 charity walks, organised by the Walk and Talk Trust and backed by The Northern Echo.
The campaign enters its final week today (Monday) and the charity’s chief executive Geoff Simpson, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to provide in excess of 1,000 pairs of walking boots to Year 6 schoolchildren throughout the North-East to help them discover the joys of walking.
“We’re very proud of our team of walk leaders, and incredibly grateful to all our supporters and sponsors who have helped make the first Big Smile such a resounding a success.”
The Walk and Talk Trust was the vision of Durham businessman Peter Bell, who wanted to share his passion for walking and promote the benefits of regular outdoor activity to body, mind, and soul.
He said: “This result represents an incredible achievement in the charity’s first year, particularly against the background of the pandemic and all the uncertainties it has presented.
“We’re delighted that this is going to make such a difference to so many young people and, hopefully, inspire in them a love of walking and the outdoors to last a lifetime.”
Since launching at Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, on June 21, The Big Smile has taken walkers on stunning routes in Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, North Yorkshire, Tees Valley, and Cumbria.
Angela Lockwood, chief executive of North Star Housing, which sponsored the walk around Barnard Castle: “It was a super day – the sun shone, we laughed, we chatted, we ran away from wasps! We have a Barnard Castle office, so it was really nice to get a better feel for such a gorgeous area where North Star has a big presence.
“I was able to chat with 17 members of our staff in an informal environment and learn so much more about them, and, with someone leading us, it was just so liberating to not worry about finding our way. We’re proud to have helped raise funds for an amazing charity doing such good work to get kids active, and to help them socialise and just enjoy themselves."
Donna Stubbs, of Newcastle Building Society, also took part in the Barnard Castle leg. She said: “Newcastle Building Society is always interested in what’s best for our communities, so we really liked The Big Smile’s mission of promoting young people’s wellbeing through walking.
“I’ve not walked that far in a while, so I was a bit apprehensive, but the team made us feel so welcome. We had a great laugh, and they pointed out lots of interesting things all the way round. It’s such a great initiative, and they’ve done such a fantastic job.”
After 10 weeks, the fundraising initiative will end with a final walk, starting and finishing at Durham School on Friday (August 27) by which time the walk leaders, Keiron Young and Richard Ellis, will have hiked a total of total 1,000km and ascended the equivalent of three Mount Everests.
The final walk in Durham is fully booked but participation is free for walks from Blanchland tomorrow (August 24), Bolts Law on Wednesday, and Consett on Thursday. However, the charity is asking participants to consider a £30 per person contribution, either through personal giving or fundraising.
To get involved in the walks, go to www.bigsmileuk.co.uk. Anyone interested in supporting the cause but unable to attend can visit www.walkandtalktrust.co.uk to make a donation.
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