Staff plod for Pudsey

Seven workers from the Department of Work and Pensions decided that the best way to support Children in Need would be to get walking.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Nov 2015, 10:36 BST

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Pudsey Walkers SUS-151118-112504001Pudsey Walkers SUS-151118-112504001
Pudsey Walkers SUS-151118-112504001

Duncan Streeter, Viv Freeman, Kevin Playford, Dave Glynn, Julie O’Reilly, Kevin Woolley and Heather Green set out from the heights of Beachy Head, at Eastbourne, at 7.30am last Friday morning to walk the 20 miles to their offices at Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards.

The Pudsey plodders encountered everything from sunshine to heavy rain on the way but battled on in the knowledge that colleagues, family and friends had already pledged more than £1,400 in need of the cause.

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Their route took them along Eastbourne seafront, through Sovereign Harbour, Pevensey and Normans Bay to Cooden.

After 13 miles, colleague Melanie Dowling was waiting for the soaked squad at West Parade, Bexhill, at noon with hot soup and hot chocolate.

Dave Glynn and Julie O’Reilly explained that the walk had evolved from what had begun with a suggested sponsored head-shave.

After a welcome warm-up and with sun coming out again the team pushed onward via Marina, De La Warr Parade and Galley Hill and trudged up Harley Shute and Sedlescombe Road North to reach their goal.

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By Monday of this week their fund-raising had topped the £2,432 mark.

They were among a number of people and groups across the Hastings and Rother area who were raising money for the Children in Need Appeal.

They included local primary schools, shops and a day centre for the elderly in Bexhill .

This year’s BBC Children in Need appeal raised a record £37.1m on the night last Friday, which is £4.5m more than the previous high of £32.6m.

Money for the appeal was still coming in this week.

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