London Calls for Devon Fundraisers
29th July, 2010
Landscape gardener Clare Wright is walking from Teignmouth to London to commemorate the life of her brother Richard, and raise funds for Derriford Hospital and the British Heart Foundation.
On May 22nd, Clare and her friends Jane Bunclark and Gill Cornish, will be walking from their homes in Teignmouth to the Whispering Gallery in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Over 14 days Clare and her team will walk the 200 plus miles to the capital, joined along the way by well wishers, friends and family, including some of the nurses from Southampton Hospital who cared for Richard in his final days.
Richard died in 2008, aged 42 after losing his battle with congenital heart disease, a condition that had affected him since childhood.
Clare said: “St Paul’s has special significance as it was a place Richard had always hoped to see but had been too frail to visit due to his illness.
“The idea for the walk was conceived as a way of honouring Rich’s memory and trying to make something good out of losing him so early. By raising money for Derriford Hospital and the Young Adult Congenital Heart Ward in Southampton, we hope to give something back for the tremendous care he received throughout his illness and also support those who are currently going through treatment.
“It’s also vital that we raise awareness of the donor register, and help people understand its importance. More people need to people know about the great work of the British Heart Foundation.”
Over £11,000 has already been pledged from sponsorship and generous donations through the event’s website www.justgiving.com/LondonCalling2010 ,and they hope to raise a lot more.
“We’re so grateful for all the support that everyone has given us so far and we can’t wait to get walking! This is our way to honour a fabulous and lovely man, and at the same time try and get more people to sign the donor register.” said Jane, 46 from Kingsteignton. She and Clare have been friends since they were 7 and she always saw Rich as a little brother.
Also joining them is Gill Cornish, 47, also from Kingsteignton who owns Brodequin Handmade Shoes in Teignmouth. She has made replica Brodequin shoes for ‘Rich’ the Build-a-Bear they are taking on the walk with them.
Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers will be releasing Heart Foundation balloons at the Teignmouth launch event on 22 May at 10.00am. This will signal the start of the walk and the first stage to Budleigh Salterton some 13 miles away. Over 50 people will be joining Clare and the team – everyone is welcome. The walk will finish in London on 4th June 2010 at St Paul’s Cathedral followed by a celebratory meal at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen.
To donate or for more details, visit www.justgiving.com/LondonCalling2010
ENDS
