AN ANNUAL sponsored walk in memory of a beloved wife, mother and friend has raised more than £10,000 in the last three years.

John Rochford has organised the walk in memory of his wife Dorothy, known as Dot, who died in January 2018 after living with Motor Neurone Disease.

He said: "I decided to do a little sponsored walk for the Motor Neurone Disease Association on or around Dot’s birthday on September 12.

"I feel it gives family and friends a chance to meet up and remember Dot.

"Dot has three children and four grandchildren. She was born in Slough and amongst other places lived in Langley Park and then Esh Winning.

"Her previous jobs were at Safeway in Durham and with Durham University, in the cashiers department. Following her death her work colleagues at the university held a memorial day for her and collected a vast amount for her charity.

"It was then I decided to see if we could raise a little bit doing a walk for the MND.

"The first year our friends and families did a walk from Esh Winning to Old Esh and back and we raised around £1,800.

"We couldn’t believe the generosity of people and decided to do it each year as everyone enjoyed themselves.

"Year on year more people join in and the last two years we have walked around Durham. Last year we were restricted with the Covid rules so this year we decided to try and raise extra money with a street collection.

"We had a lovely day – the weather was perfect and there were 37 of us including Dot’s children and one of her grandchildren.

"Also on the walk was Alistair Hassan and his son who walked with us in memory of his uncle Paul Hasson from Esh Winning, who a lot of the walkers knew, who also died of MND.

"Some of the walkers were in fancy dress and the majority of the others were dressed in the MND shirts.

"We walked from the market place to the Cathedral then onto the riverbank around to the Boathouse.

"We then walked up to Shire Hall and then over the Baths Bridge and up to the Rose Tree at Shincliffe.

"We then crossed over the river and walked back down into Durham, where we stopped for refreshment in the Boathouse.

"We toasted Dot’s birthday with a drink and sang happy birthday to her.

"The walk was about 6.5 miles and everyone had a great time.

"We raised £430 with the street collection and with the online and sponsor forms donations, we will probably raise around £4,000.

"I would like to thank all of the walkers and everyone who has donated.

"The generosity of people is outstanding and hopefully this money will go to finding a cure for this terrible disease.

"We are now close to raising £10,000 in total so far.

"Dorothy was a lovely, kind, beautiful lady with a great sense of humour.

"She would be amazed that people have raised this money in her honour."

Anyone wishing to donate in Dot's memory to the MND fund can do so at dorothy-rochford.muchloved.com/fundraising/events/64315926.

Alternatively visit www.mndassociation.org.