Great Big Walk for Herts raises £66,000 for children's charities

Helping Herts, the official charity of Stort Valley Rotary Club has raised an incredible £66,000 for children's charities after it held its annual Great Big Walk for Herts event.

The charity smashed its fundraising target of £50,000, raising an incredible £66,000, which will go to 12 local children's charities.

The beneficiaries are Coram Life Education, Herts Young Homeless, For Baby's Sake, Herts Mind Network, Grove Cottage, Home-Start Herts, Phoenix Group for Deaf Children & Adults, PlaySkill, the Ollie Foundation, the NSPCC, CHEXS and Keech Hospice Care.

While each charity walked a leg of the Hertfordshire Way - including Royston - covering an impressive 180 miles in total.

Nearly 150 people took part including staff from Helping Herts, volunteers from the charities, their customers and many supporters.

Gordon Morrison, Co-founder of Helping Herts, said: "It was wonderful to see the sense of joy and community that was evident on the day, as the walkers all enjoyed a great occasion, thanks to the efforts of so many people.

"The total of £66,000 will go a long way to ensuring our charities can continue to do vital work in their local communities.

"There is still time to donate - all donations are being doubled by two major donors, so you can make a really big difference."

The routes covered the towns and villages of Royston, Wallington, Little Wymondley, Codicote, St Albans, Markyate, Tring, Kings Langley, Shenley, Cuffley, Hertford, Widford, Bishops Stortford and Hare Street.

The Friends of the Hertfordshire Way provided guides for each section and also helped to organise the event, for which everyone was very grateful.

Jim Tatchell, Co-founder of Helping Herts added: "We are extremely grateful to the volunteers who gave their time, to The Friends of Hertfordshire Way, and to everyone who has sponsored us.

"We are already looking forward to next years' event and hope to be able to raise even more funds to help the charities continue their fantastic work."

To donate, visit: https://fundraising.helpingherts.com/donate