Staff walks to work leave The Donna Louise miles better off...

05 August 2019

STAFF from Leek United have left The Donna Louise Hospice for Children and Young People* miles better off – after completing a series of early morning walks into work.

Branch Manager Richard Czapski and colleagues from the Society’s St Edward Street branch in Leek literally went the extra miles for the charity by organising four dawn walks to and from their office on consecutive Monday mornings.

And their long, scenic summer routes into work have succeeded in raising more than £200 for The Donna Louise.

“The walks all went really well, the weather was very kind to us and it was a great team-building exercise – although setting out at around 5am left us all pretty shattered the following day!” said Richard.

“We also held a coffee morning, cake sale and raffle at the Branch after the final walk, and thanks to the generosity of customers and Leek United staff we’ve raised £204.”

The ‘Walk To Work’ challenge began on 1 July, with a dawn footslog around Tittesworth Reservoir, with similar walks in the following weeks to and from The Hollybush Inn at Denford, Rudyard Lake and Stockton Brook.

Accompanying Richard on the walks – which clocked up a total of almost 40 miles – were
St Edward Street team members Julie Collins, Gary Egan, Lucy Moulder and Jeanette Pickup.

Said Richard: “We’ve added the proceeds to the growing total our Branch and the Society has already raised this year for The Donna Louise, and our thanks go to everyone who has supported us so far.”

Chris Belyavin, Relationship Manager at The Donna Louise, commented: “We’re so grateful to the team at Leek United for their continued support – it means so much to local families. This is such a fantastic challenge to take on – a huge thank you not only to the team who took part, but also to everyone who has supported them.”

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, The Donna Louise is one of Leek United’s main charity beneficiaries, and the Society is aiming to raise the sum of £10,000 for the hospice during 2019.

Picture: Leek United ‘Walk to Workers’ (from left) Julie Collins, Jeanette Pickup, Richard Czapski, Lucy Moulder and Gary Egan.