A group of friends who hold an annual charity walk for cancer care did so in memory of a special member this year.
The group who stroll from Hartlepool Marina to Seaton Carew every year held it in tribute to their close friend Karen McIntosh.
Karen, who sadly died earlier this year aged 55, was a regular member of the group who walked every year. She helped to raise thousands of pounds for breast cancer care at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
This year the group raised £1,765. And they chose to donate the funds to the Trust’s Macmillan cancer information centre.
The group will use the funds to go towards their work giving holistic support and advice to people with cancer.
This was after the organiser Val Kitching asked Karen’s parents Elaine and Peter Smith which charity they would like to choose this year.
Val visits the University Hospital of Hartlepool every year to present the funds. She said: “This event has always been so special to all of us involved. But this year held a particular significance.
“It was a fabulous and successful morning with 25 people in total, on a day full of sunshine and everyone wore pink.
“We want to thank everyone who took part for such a special cause – raising such a fantastic sum for cancer care at our local NHS trust.
Val, along with Karen’s mum Elaine and Karen’s lifelong friend Jo Weatherill, visited cancer information centre manager Alan Chandler on Wednesday to present the funds.
Raising even more money
A further £1,130 was raised online, going directly to Macmillan Cancer Support charity. A fantastic £730 of this sum was raised by Baily Group Peterlee, Karen’s employer.
Also, £500 was collected at Karen’s funeral for the chemotherapy unit at Hartlepool hospital.
Alan, cancer survivorship manager, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part for raising a magnificent sum of money.
“One of our initiatives have is a craft and chat group who make special cushions for our breast care patients. Part of the funds the walkers have helped raise will go towards the materials we need to buy.
“It’s going to a fantastic cause. We really appreciate it.”
