My personal challenge for National Walking Month in May was to raise funds for Catholic Care by walking from Head Office in Headingley to Eller Beck Court, the charity’s extra care facility in Skipton. How hard can that be? 29 miles via pavement and canal, pace ourselves, no problem!

The walk turned into 34 miles and took over 10 hours to complete, but my partner and I raised £545 for Catholic Care and learned that the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is quite bendy in places with no benches for miles, and all of the cafés and pubs appeared to be closed on a Monday! We really enjoyed the challenge though. So scenic. The weather was perfect for walking.

When we arrived in Skipton we were so pleased to see Eller Beck Court’s Registered Manager, Julia, who greeted us on the street outside the facility with a big smile and the news that her staff had donated £20 towards our total! She took us in for well-needed drinks and a sit-down, before very kindly giving us a lift back to the train station! Thank you very much Julia, and to all who helped us reach our total. We slept well that night!

CONGRATULATIONS KATRINA, AND THANK YOU!