Supermarket charity walkers deliver the goods

Tesco store managers from across the region put their best feet forward to walk a 22-mile route from Norwich to Aylsham in aid of the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity.

The managers’ efforts contributed to an ongoing fundraising drive, which has raised over £18,000 in aid for the charity.

Ruth Yallop, from the Aylsham store, said: “I’ve had two friends die with two months of each other with brain tumours. I witnessed the amazing work completed by the Priscilla Bacon Hospice when my friend was reaching the end of her life. And counselling given to my other friend’s son when watching his dad pass away.

“I wanted to feel useful and my boss suggested us doing something as a team. I am blown away by the generosity of our communities and a couple of blisters is worth it to see all the money go to such a great cause.”

DETERMINATION: The sponsored walkers from Tesco stores across the region.

The Norwich to Aylsham walk, which started at 8am and finished around 4pm, was split into three sections. A support crew met the walkers in Thorpe Marriott, Lenwade and Reepham to ensure no one was injured and supply refreshments and blister plasters.

The managers who took part in the walk were: Ruth Yallop (Aylsham); Gemma Riley, Mark Waddell (Drayton); Ben LeClerc (Thetford); Cara Patterson (Fakenham); Cherri Yallop (Bury St Edmunds); Dale Landermore (Diss); David Short (Sheringham); Dean Gregory (Great Yarmouth); Steve Davis (Martlesham); Leon Egmore (Lowestoft); Matt Heuschneider (Kesgrave); Ryan LaBrun, Steve Lewis (Newmarket); Stuart McKay (Stalham); Mark Rafferty (Brandon); Steve Richardson (Dereham); Rachel Sadler (Walton); Simon Webb (Saxmundham) and Gareth Rapkins (Hunstanton). Along the way the managers were met by the support crew of Joanne Reynolds, Kirsten Bezant, Gemma Shepard and Jo Everson from the Aylsham store, Bradie Hubbard (Caister), and Tim Gilliam (Beccles).