Tenth Charity walk for the A.E.C.C.

News

Jill Attfield / 2005-05-02 17:19:59

The start of the walk

It was a beautifully sunny morning and over 300 people lined up for the A.E.C.C.'s tenth Annual Sponsored Walk. Instead of the usual route from Cabo Roig beach and ending at the Salt Bridge at Torrevieja, this year the start was La Zenia beach, along the coast to the 'Nautilus' at Punta Prima and back to La Zenia beach.

The official time for the start was 10.30am, but many began their journey as soon as they had booked in. Joy, Mary, Sheila, Dawn and Denise from Belinda's Keep Fit at Quesada left at 10.15am and arrived at the' Nautilus' for 11am, and like a lot of the other walkers, had a quick drink, got their breath back and were ready for their return trip. A.E.C.C. Volunteers including Chris Paddock, who arranges the walk each year, A.E.C.C. councillor Christine and her husband Vernon were on hand at the halfway mark with bottles of water and words of encouragement.

Jack and Norma Guillon had left La Zenia at 10am and fifty minutes later they were resting at the 'Nautilus'. Jack recently had a serious operation when his aorta was replaced. Jackie Garrett, with knee heavily bandaged ran part of the way and 'Elvis' made his entrance just a few minutes later. Under the 'Elvis' disguise was entertainer Simon Morton who walked with his wife Jane, daughter Bethany and dogs Cleo and Oscar. Simon and his party had raised over €600 and were part of the 'International Club'.

Back at La Zenia Jackie James with helpers Bea and Debbie who had been kept busy from the onset, handing out tee-shirts, badges, stamping and checking sponsor forms and taking in money were greeting everyone with warm smiles and greetings of 'well done'. Jackie Garrett made the target time she set herself by a few minutes, so she was pleased and 'Littl'un' the dachshund, who let owner Sue Maskill and friend Julie Wressell walk the route with him raised €70 for the A.E.C.C. It was a first time walk for friends Jill and Pat and when Lyn Adams, who has suffered cancer herself made it to the final stage said "it brings a lump to your throat when you see people with injuries or ill who are still taking part in the walk".

'Leader' walker Lee Humphreys, with Chander Mehan completed their round trip and looked as though they could do it all again !! Largo Jardin 1 was represented by a party of ten who were walking for the first time and organizer Carole England was proud of them all. They all enjoyed the walk and said it was brilliant. Maureen from the International club said, "This walk was a pleasure" and this was the same view of many of the others.

Bill and Jean Manning only moved to Spain last year, so this was their first Sponsored Walk for the A.E.C.C. and apart from the fact that Jean fell over near to the final stage and cut her thumb, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and raised some money for cancer to boot. Mike and Val from 'Clinica La Florida' had given up their time and set up a 'first aid' station and were on hand for injuries such as Jean's.

Parador Properties were represented by Mary, Stevia and Linda and although they hadn't a total figure of the money sponsored, they did tell us that their M.D. Simon Lambert was sponsoring them for €500 each.

Barry Lane, who completed last year's New York Marathon on behalf of the A.E.C.C. walked with around thirty fellow workers from Atlas. Of course this was a just a drop in the ocean for Barry!!

Sofistikats June, Ann, Jackie, Mary and Angie all agreed, "It was a lot easier this year". Betty Foster, from P.A.L.S did her walk in just over three hours and on crutches, as she did last year.

The overall verdict was that this new route was more 'user friendly' and with restaurants at both ends people had time to rest and recoup if needed.

Last year the A.E.C.C. Sponsored walk raised just over €27,000 and it is hoped that this figure can be bettered this time.
Jackie James, on behalf of the A.E.C.C. said, "A very big thank you to all the walkers, volunteers and helpers. If you could collect your monies together as quickly as possible it would really help the A.E.C.C. Should anybody have any problems getting the monies to us please telephone 96 6722358 we will arrange to collect.