ON a cold, dull and very wet late September morning, members and friends of Camelford Rotary Club embarked on an 18-mile sponsored walk to raise money for the Cornwall children’s hospice in St Austell.

The walk started at 8.30am in Padstow and followed the River Camel to Wadebridge, continued on to Dunmere and then through Helland passing Pooley Bridge and finishing at Wenford Bridge Café for a very welcome sit down and cup of tea.

Despite the poor weather conditions the walkers enjoyed a lot of light hearted banter and chatter that helped to eat up the miles and complete the task. A spokesperson said: “It was a tough trek walking into the rain and wind and some of our more mature members discovered muscles long forgotten which served as a reminder of the achievement for several days after the event.”

The men decided to set a steady pace to conserve energy at the early stages, enjoy passing through the lovely countryside and arrive at Wenford Bridge by mid afternoon.

Two female walkers, Di Mills, wife of Rotarian David Mills, and Aly Moody from Caleford Riding for the Disabled, set a much quicker pace and gradually disappeared into the drizzle and mist never to be seen again! They got to Wenford Bridge almost two hours before the men who accepted defeat with great humility.

Instead of walking, Rotarian Ian Whitehead decided to cycle from Wenford Bridge to Padstow and back. He is now known within the club as the ‘Caped Crusader in wellingtons’, which must have made cycling even more challenging.

On Wednesday, November 13, members of the Rotary Club of Camelford visited Cornwall Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) Little Harbour centre in St Austell and presented a cheque for £1,000 to Zoe Partridge.

Camelford Rotary Club president Bill Dixon said: “This charity organisation provides invaluable hospice care for children with life-limiting conditions and support services to their families. The staff are very caring and the environment is excellent. My Rotary Club is very pleased to offer this £1,000 donation and we hope to do more in the future.”