Seven members from Darlington Building Society’s Redcar and Middlesbrough branches recently took part in the six mile Starlight Stroll from Redcar to Marske in order to raise money for Teesside Hospice.
More than £57,000 was raised by the roughly 750 people who took part in the all-female seven mile saunter along the sea front, with plenty of those taking part embracing the Hawaiian theme by donning flowery shirts and grass skirts.
Teesside Hospice provides care to those suffering from advanced cancer and life-limiting illnesses, and also provides their families with respite. The cost of running the hospice is in excess of £2.4 million annually and the money raised from the Starlight Stroll will go towards ensuring the charity can continue to provide its vital services to those who need them.
Team coordinator and customer service consultant, Sara Jalhed said: “We all thoroughly enjoyed the Starlight Stroll and we’re proud to have contributed towards the phenomenal amount of money raised.
“There was a great atmosphere during the stroll. Even people who didn’t take part lined the streets to cheer everyone on or to light the way with torches.
“Teesside Hospice does such good work in our community that we feel it is really important to give back.” adding: “All the blisters were definitely worth it.”
The Society’s Starlight Strollers comprised of Louise Thorpe, Sara Jalhed, Rebecca Russell, Melanie Winton, Karen Watson, Jess McSorley and Nicky Donaghue.
Contributing to the community has been very important to Darlington Building Society since it was established. It offers its employees at least one paid day a year to do work in the community and is happy to pay the registration fee for fundraising activities that its employees take part in.