Friends who met through a pilates class several years ago put themselves through their paces again to help East Cheshire Hospice.
Carol Rayner, Dale Thomas, Sue Priestley, Maxine Seddon and Carol Palin wanted to lift the gloom around Covid-19.
That was partly why they were inspired to walk or cycle almost 1,100 miles, raising £750 for the charity.
The group took part in a Memory Miles event in which Hospice supporters undertook different challenges, some in memory of loved ones.
The charity’s initial aim of travelling 874 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End was beaten early in the two-month campaign.
So the destination was changed to the Sahara Desert – an extra 2,470 miles – which is where the Hospice is actually organising a trek late next year.
Memory Miles, sponsored by Sidney Jackson and Son, has raised £5,420 with the pilates group covering the furthest distance from the combined efforts of fundraisers.
Carol Rayner said: “When we saw the Memory Miles event we all embraced the opportunity to help a local and vital charity and, in doing so, have gained a feeling of doing something positive at a time when it’d have been easy to dwell on all the negativity around Covid-19.
“We’ve all found that having something to aim for has lifted us individually too. I’ve personal experience of assisting in the care of a loved one until end-of-life at home.
“This happened during lockdown, otherwise a place at the Hospice would have been applied for. This experience made me realise what a vital service it provides.
“We pledged initially to raise £200 and walk 50 miles each. I also pledged to cycle 250 miles and we quickly exceeded in both our pledges.
“We’ve covered most of the distance individually because it was difficult to walk together regularly because of commitments.
“Each team member reports their daily distance to me on our group chat and I’ve kept a spreadsheet. We’ve encouraged and praised each other along the way and have all enjoyed the challenge.”
*Donate to the Memory Miles campaign at memorymiles.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk
From left, Carol Rayner, Dale Thomas, Sue Priestley, Maxine Seddon and Carol Palin.