A STALWART supporter of a much-loved hospice has embarked on an epic walk to raise money for the charity that helped her family.
Despite having two new hips, two new knees and a bad back, Eileen Leonard is using her walker to cover a mile a day for the next 100 days, in all weathers.
The challenge is the latest for the 73-year-old who is a volunteer visitor at St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington.
Her efforts have also seen her tackle the Great North Run 16 times raising thousands of pounds over the years.
Eileen, a former supermarket worker with Morrisons for almost 20 years, has already raised close to £1,000 of her £10,000 target.
She is hoping the public will see her on her 100-day quest on the streets around Parkside, Darlington, say hello and perhaps donate. Eileen has set up a just giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eileen-leonard3.
“I feel so passionately about the work of St Teresa’s Hospice and I know they are finding it very difficult at the moment because of the cost of living crisis,” she said. “They offer faultless care.
“They helped my family when they had cancer. When my mother-in-law Vera died we raised enough money to refurbish a room in her memory. My husband Keith goes there for acupuncture to help with his health issues. They also helped me with my emotions when Keith was diagnosed with cancer which made me feel a lot better.
“It takes me about 25 minutes to do just over a mile and Keith can’t really come with me because of his health. I took our dog Bonnie one day but she doesn’t like my walker.
“So far my family and friends have been very supportive, as have Cleveland Bridge Club who raised £120 at the bingo. It would be nice if the wider community could also help. My kids, Tracie, Mark and Sean, think my target is too high but if 5,000 people donate just £2 I should be able to do it. Our MP Peter Gibson put a video on his social media about my efforts and he has 7,000 followers.”
It costs around £3m a year for the charity to provide round-the-clock care and support for patients living with life limiting illnesses, and their families and carers, in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.