Coast-to-coast

Helpline advisor Dominic Close, from HR Services, completed the Wainwright Coast-to-Coast Challenge in aid of the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) in Leeds.

Devised by the late British fellwalker and author, Alfred Wainwright, the 201-mile coast-to-coast walk begins at St Bees in Cumbria, on the Irish Sea. It crosses the West Cumbrian coastal plain and the Lake District, and enters North Yorkshire as it crosses the Pennines. It then crosses the Yorkshire Dales, the Vale of York and the North York Moors to reach the North Sea coast at Robin Hood's Bay.

Last year, Dominic took part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge for charity with a group of friends. This year, the group suggested Dominic do the Wainwright Coast-to-Coast Challenge solo for the CHSF, as a few of them have used the service with their own children and wanted to give something back.

Based at the Leeds Children’s Hospital the CHSF supports children and adults born with congenital heart defects across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Choosing to camp every night and carry all his equipment on him, Dominic set out on his marathon 12-stage challenge from St Bees on Sunday 4 May. Crossing the Lake District National Park via Ennerdale Bridge, Rosthwaite and Patterdale, Dominic traversed the Yorkshire Dales through Keld and Reeth before traipsing across the North York Moors via Clay Bank Top and Glaisdale. After 13 gruelling but amazing days, Dominic arrived at Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, on Friday 17 May.

After raising £400 for the CHSF, Dominic said: Thank you to everyone who donated. It has been a truly amazing experience.’