9th October 2010
We would like to say a huge thank you to the 70 participants (plus dogs in CRY t-shirts!) who took part in the first CRY Durham Riverside Walk on Saturday 9th October 2010.
We hope to have a few hundred participants next year – thank you to all who have offered to help promote the 2011 event.
We held this new event to help mark CRY’s 15th anniversary and to launch CRY Awareness Week (9th – 17th October).
After a drizzly and damp start to the morning, the weather cleared and started to warm up just in time for registration, which was held inside Durham Amateur Rowing Club. Participants checked in and picked up a balloon, then had a hot drink and a chat with each other whilst we waited for everyone to arrive. CRY staff and photographer Doug Moody took details and photographs for the local press.
The event gave CRY supporters from the North East a chance to meet each other and discuss why they had decided to join the walk. Many people who took part walked in memory of a young person who they had sadly lost to young sudden cardiac death.
Just before midday, once everyone had checked in, Rebecca Zouvani – CRY Fundraising Manager – made a short speech to thank everyone for coming and introduced Jeff Morland, who made a very moving speech about his own experience, having supported CRY and campaigned for many years following the loss of his son Levon.
Following the speeches everyone made their way outside the club to take part in a motivating and energetic warm up, led by Kirk Douglas, CRY volunteer fitness instructor and personal trainer, who travelled all the way from London to support the event and get everyone ready to walk!
Following the beautiful River Wear, walkers were treated to a beautiful view of Durham Cathedral, which was shrouded by an atmospheric mist. The glorious autumnal colours of the trees lining the river bank provided a stunning backdrop for the walk.
After crossing Bath Bridge and breaking away from the river momentarily for a pretty detour, the 7km route looped back around to finish at Durham Amateur Rowing Club, where each walker was welcomed back by Kenny and Maralyn Bowen, CRY Representatives, and presented with a certificate, feedback form and 15th anniversary key ring as a token of thanks from CRY.
The rowing club kindly opened the bar and provided delicious toasties and homemade cakes ready for the walkers’ return, which was a very welcome treat, and helped to ease a few sore feet and blisters! The club was full of smiling faces, and everyone seemed to enjoy the day. We would love to see everyone again next year and hope to see some new faces too. If you would like to know when a date has been confirmed for 2011 please email [email protected].
We are very grateful to the event sponsors – Durham Amateur Rowing Club for providing a great venue at a discount and delicious food; and to Northumbrian Water and Tesco Extra, Dragonville for kindly donating water and chocolate bars.
Thank you to the following volunteers for all their help before, during and after the event by organising and attending meetings; promoting; driving; taking deliveries; pre-event telephone calls and emails; marshalling; designing and marking out the route; registering walkers; inflating balloons; handing out water, chocolate bars, certificates and forms and clearing up. We really couldn’t run a new event like this, so far from our office, without the help of dedicated volunteers:
Kenny and Maralyn Bowen; David (Joe) Crow; Jack Doyle; Bruce Lowes; Aran Morland; Jeff Morland; Steve Percival; Sue Phillips; Nick Phillips and Ted Philo.
We really appreciated the time and help of all of the volunteers. Special thanks to Jeff and Steve for making it all happen.
