Walkers step up to a 24-hour challenge
Donations totalling about £8,000 started with a single step on Saturday as members of Stratford Rugby Club took on a 24-hour walkathon to raise money for Ukraine.
Starting at 11am, the rugby club’s ‘Yellow and Blue Walkers’ trekked around its grounds and into the town centre, before returning the following morning to a round of applause from club members.
The club also raised £600 from raffling items, including a rugby ball signed by Jason Robinson.
“People have been so generous and engaged in what’s happening,” said club member Rachel McGovern. “I think we maybe underestimated how much support we would get. Our initial target was £1,500, and then £3,000 and it still went over, so people have been so supportive of what we’ve done.
“It was beautiful to walk around the town at night and in the early hours, and we went up to Welcombe Hills at sunrise, which was beautiful.
“Walking for 24 hours isn’t a stroll in the park but what these refugees have walked through is unthinkable, so we can’t really complain because we were blessed to be able to walk in peace.”
