Three work colleagues take on non-stop 55-mile Derbyshire Heritage Way walk for lifesaving charity
Three work colleagues are challenging themselves to the max by taking on a non-stop 55-mile heritage walk through Derbyshire to raise money for St John Ambulance.
Married couple Claire and Tim Hollingshurst and their work colleague Rich Trevatt, who all work at science company Lubrizol’s UK headquarters in Hazelwood, will be walking all 55 miles of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way next month, without stopping.
The trio are going the distance in aid of St John Ambulance, named by Lubrizol as its UK-wide charity earlier this year.
Claire said: “I think everyone knows what amazing work St John Ambulance does in helping train people in first aid so they have the skills to save a life. Tim and I have done various challenges over the years but I do think this is our most daunting one yet!”
The trio will embark on their epic walk on June 3 at the Heritage Way’s starting point: Ladybower Reservoir.
Set up in 2002 by the Derwent Valley Trust, the trail follows the river Derwent all the way to its mouth in the heritage inland port of Shardlow. Along the way, Claire, Tim and Rich’s walk will take them through the Chatsworth estate, Matlock Bath, Darley Dale and Derby itself, which they are likely to be walking through as night falls.
Derek Latham, chair of the Derwent Valley Trust, said this was the first attempt of which he had heard, of people taking on the whole 55-mile route non-stop.
“I would like to think this is the first of many, and that Claire, Tim and Rich are setting an example for the future!” he said.
Claire and Tim are no stranger to sporting challenges having previously each run and jogged 1,000 miles in a year in aid of Mind, as well as completing 10,000 sit-ups and press-ups in a year, plus taking on notoriously tough challenges like the Yorkshire Three Peaks and Tough Mudder events. The pair ran, walked and cycled the equivalent distance between John O’Groats and Lands End, also for Mind.
Tim has also walked the West Highlands Way in the past while outdoors-lover Rich has traversed Hadrian’s wall.
But all three said despite these previous experiences they had never taken on so great a challenge as undertaking the 55-mile walk Heritage Way all in one go.
Tim said: “We did have to make it quite challenging for ourselves! It will be hard to carry our food and make sure that we have got enough energy to do it. Then there will be the pain of blisters to contend with.”
Claire and Tim are well acquainted with one section of the Heritage Way, having signed up as rangers last year when the Derwent Valley Trust appealed for volunteers to help maintain the route, which takes in much of Derbyshire’s industrial past. This involves them regularly walking section six of the walk, between Whatstandwell and Belper, making sure it is clear of brambles and signposts are clearly visible so that other walkers can enjoy the route.
Rich said: “I love history and what we’ll be following is that historical industry of Derbyshire: all the mills and mill towns. It will be a fascinating experience.”
So far the intrepid trio have raised more than £500 in sponsorship ahead of their epic walk. To donate, see www.justgiving.com/page/hollingshurst-heritage-way-st-john-ambulance
Claire said: “Charitable fundraising and volunteering are very important to us at Lubrizol so while I’m nervous about doing the Heritage Way, I’m proud to be doing our bit for St John Ambulance. We’ll be very visible as we’ll have the St John Ambulance colours flying behind us on ribbons and balloons! So if you see us tramping along over the weekend of June 3 and 4, feel free to give us a wave or even join us for a bit!”
Charlotte Guiver, director of fundraising at St John Ambulance said: “We're so grateful for the incredible fundraising efforts of the Lubrizol team. The money they have raised will make it possible for our volunteers to continue their lifesaving work in communities across the country.
“We are all wishing the team luck on their epic hike - and St John will be cheering them on every step of the way.”
Lubrizol’s support for St John Ambulance comes after its previous two years’ support for Mind, during which time employees raised a phenomenal £28,282 through completing a variety of challenges.