Teams trek from A2B for charity fundraiser

Trekking all the way from Arundel to Brighton, the walkers spent the day hiking the massive 35 kilometre feat in order to raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy, a charity which helps children under the age of five and their families affected by cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties.

The Dame Vera Lynn Trust offers its services completely free of charge and receives no statutory funding and has the challenge each year to raise £580,000 to enable it to continue helping the families, babies and children that so rely on the service.

At 7am the walk kick-started at Arundel Castle with Richard Betts from Pied A Terre Adventures, giving a motivational starting speech followed by Paralympic athlete Sophia Warner cutting the ribbon to set the walkers off. Walkers then spent nearly the entire day trekking over the South Downs countryside before finishing at the stunning location of the Devil’s Dyke to a cheering team of supporters.

Forty walkers took part all together including parents of children who attend the Dame Vera Lynn School Trust School for parents, local businesses, Guy Leonard & Co, Miss Sussex 2014 and avid walkers who wanted to do something special for the Trust. Together they raised over £6,000.

With an incredibly hilly terrain and numerous challenges, the A2B walk proved to be an endurance test for everyone involved. The walkers had to hike up some difficult inclines along the route, but once the mist cleared they were rewarded with some gorgeous views over the South Downs and down towards the coast. With a number of walkers directly affected by the charity’s cause, the determination of every walker to finish was resolute and highly motivational.

Catherine Bristow, Events Fundraiser at the Dame Vera Lynn Trust said: “I’d like to personally thank outdoor adventure company, Pied A Terre Adventures, who worked in partnership with us to manage this event and were responsible for the organisation and route of the walk and were there to guide and support the walkers every step of the way, ensuring everyone remained safe and well.

“We couldn’t have done it without their expertise. As Patrons of the charity they do fantastic work and t are so active in supporting the cause even though they have a thriving award winning outdoor adventure business that they manage as well. I’d also like to thank Dave Powell from LPG Photographic for his stunning photos, Steve Derby from Shipley Explorers Group who was there to hand out food, snacks and drinks and assisted with the marshalling duties and of course all of our volunteers who faced the very early morning start. We could not have done it without them. Finally a massive thank you to Audi at Five Oaks for their sponsorship and prize donation.

Every one of the walkers reached the finish line, even with sore feet and blisters.

It’s not too late to donate; simply go to the Dame Vera Lynn Trust website, www.dvlturst.org.uk, and click on the ‘Donate’ button.

Report contributed by the Dame Vera Lynn Trust. Pictures by Dave Powell from LPG Photographic.