An annual charity walk completed by families and friends from Ely this weekend has been hailed as the best one yet.
“Out of this world” and “absolutely fantastic” is how organiser Damien Whales described the 40-mile three-day Dorset Sponsored Walk.
Held in aid of The Malcolm Whales Foundation, he said: “I think we’ll have raised £10,000 comfortably.
“It was the best walk we’ve had in all the years.”
The walk has raised £100,000 over seven years for the charity. It was set up in memory of Malcolm Whales, who died of bowel cancer aged 55.
The success of this year’s walk comes despite a disagreement with the governing body of Ely College who said it could not take place in term time.
As well as the “perfect temperature and superb blue skies”, the fundraiser was more of a community event, said Damien Whales.
Sixty-five people took part, ranging from six-years-old to those in their fifties, creating a “very positive feeling”.
Members of RAF Wyton and the charity, Climbing Out, also got involved in the fundraising event whilst Grey’s of Ely donated one of their buses for the weekend trip.
“People were talking about getting involved next year before this one even finished,” said Mr Whales, a former assistant principal of Ely College.
He will take on a new position at Rushden Academy in Newmarket this September and said Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust is supporting the walk.
Next year’s Dorset Sponsored Walk takes place from July 13 to 17.
For more information visit www.malcolmwhales.co.uk or search for the charity on Facebook or Twitter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here