Former addicts 'walk for recovery' in 79-mile trek for Yeldall Manor

Two former addicts have completed a gruelling 79-mile walk raising over £11,000 for Yeldall Manor, the Christian-based drug and alcohol recovery centre for men.

Dave Green and John Roberts put on their walking shoes to trek for four days in a 'Walk for Recovery' event from Hurst Castle in Hampshire, to Wargrave, where the charity is based.

Along the way they encountered lots of wet weather but were motivated to carry on due to the faith shown in them from fundraisers who donated £11,129 via Just Giving.

Dave said:

“I can’t believe how generous people have been. We were really taken aback by it but are really pleased.

“Tuesday was so wet. It was quite unpleasant toward the end. We couldn’t walk across country so had to keep to roads and from Winchester to Basingstoke it was all uphill and hard.

“We both had very sore feet and legs but we’re both fine now.

“Seeing the money come in was a big motivator and it was great to have support from volunteer  drivers and from the staff at Yeldall who had a whip round to fund two hotel stays for us.”

Dave said that hopefully their fundraising feat will inspire others to fundraise for the charity and he will continue to do so as it gave him his life back.

“The walk was definitely an act of gratitude from me because I have been through the programme and know how well it works.”

Funds raised will go into the charity’s   Good Samaritan Fund which supports men through the recovery programme who can’t get local authority funding.

Administration  and supporter relations manager Sue Hedger said:

“I am so proud of them both and all they have achieved. This event was entirely their initiative with minimal input from staff. All the planning and fundraising was theirs, not to mention the hours of practice and the walk itself. John literally wore his boots out.

“The money they have raised is going towards our Good Samaritan Fund, which helps men access drug and alcohol treatment who would not otherwise be able to afford to do so. It will literally change, or probably even save, someone's life.

“Dave and John are just amazing in the dedication they have shown in doing this.”