Caroline Marsh, a woman supported by learning disability charity Hft, has recently raised over £4,000 for the organisations 60th birthday by taking on an eight-mile trek.

Caroline was joined on her hike by friends, Hft staff and other supported people from the Hft Cheshire service. There were 14 walkers who set off on the hike (including Dexter the dog) and they stopped off for a lunch of fish and chips along the way.

Caroline was initially inspired to take on the challenge as Lyndsay Gittins, Cluster Team Manager for Hft Chester and Merseyside, agreed to take on a skydive if Caroline agreed to complete her walk. The walk took place one week after Lyndsay raised £800 for Hft with her skydive, rounding up an incredible week and some fantastic achievements for both Lyndsay and Caroline.

Caroline is just one of the many people taking on Hft’s ‘Walk and Talk’ challenge to celebrate 60 years of Hft. The event was created to inspire people to connect with others in the community to help combat loneliness and isolation among adults with a learning disability. Previous research by Hft found that over a third of people with a learning disability often feel lonely. Walking and talking with someone is a proven way to boost health and well-being, deepen new or existing connections, and combat this loneliness.

Caroline’s mum, Nancy Marsh commented:

“It was a good day. The atmosphere was very special. When we got back to the Hft house, one of the people who shares accommodation with Caroline and had not been able to join insisted on going out with her zimmer. She managed to work further than she had done for a long time, wanting to give her support to a very worthy cause!”

Community Fundraising Manager, Emma Macdonald, said,

“We are so proud of Caroline for embracing our Walk & Talk Challenge to raise funds that will support people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible. The last few years have been incredibly difficult for everyone, and it’s so inspiring to see people like Caroline going above and beyond, with her fantastic family and support workers by her side”.