A team of ten council wardens are giving up their own time for a sponsored walk in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNASS).
Durham County Council staff will, on Sunday 15 April, trek from Chilton depot to their base at Morrison Busty depot in Annfield Plain – a distance of 20 miles that includes a steep uphill climb towards the end of the route.
Neighbourhood warden team leader Paul Rutherford, said: “We wanted to do something for charity as a team and thought walking between the two depots where our neighbourhood wardens are based was a good idea.
“As wardens we have all seen the Great North Air Ambulance in action and think it’s a fantastic cause to support.”
Neighbourhood Wardens tackle environmental problems and antisocial behaviour across County Durham.
Working closely with the police, the fire service and other agencies they deal with a variety of issues including everything from dog fouling and stray dogs, to fly tipping, abandoned vehicles, littering and under-age street drinking.
Paul will lead colleagues Stuart Champion, Eugene Walsh, Tom Walton, Ray Cornwell, Kirk Thiis, Neil Morton, Patrick Rice, Will Hunter and Nick Snowdon on the walk, with support from neighbourhood warden manager Belinda Snow.
The Great North Air Ambulance is this year’s Chairman’s charity, and the council has raised money through a range of events, including the donation of 75 bags of unwanted clothes, shoes, bags and belts, and a Christmas jumper day.
The team has set up a JustGiving page to make donating quick and easy. If you’d like to donate, please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-rutherford10