A 17-strong group of walkers, led by Martin Hughes from Barrow, embarked upon the five-day trek along the Cumbria Way walk to Carlisle, from Ulverston in memory of Linda Hughes.
The walk was held to raise money for St Mary’s Hospice, where Mr Hughes’ wife Linda was cared for before she died, aged 45, last September.
Following the gruelling 72-mile trek, the group was welcomed home with a champagne reception at the Crofters in Holbeck after finishing their journey on the 9th June.
Mr Hughes said: “The sense of achievement when the group arrived in Carlisle at the end of the 72-mile walk was immense. When we got to Carlisle, we all marched to the Cumbria Way cross together.”
“I went first to touch it, then everyone piled in. A few of the girls really struggled towards the end. One had a badly swollen knee. They weren’t going to give in, though. Everyone really wanted to get to the finish.”
“All 17 of us made it to the end, and although we all ended up with some sort of injury, we all soldiered on. It was quite emotional when we arrived back in Barrow. Everyone was waiting for us and they were all cheering. I think I learned that if you really want to achieve something, it is possible.”
The group is now planning to hold an annual fundraising event in Linda’s memory.
Mr Hughes said he was extremely grateful to Phil and Jenny Collier, who drove the group’s support car along the journey and ferried bits and pieces to them along the way.
Mr Hughes would also like to thank Tina Bayliss, Selina McKenna, Angela Forbes and Mandy Shaw for bringing daily supplies to the group.
