Vital Link No 74 Spring 2019 | Page 8

A Capital Fundraiser By Vera Eccleshall I pledged last year to do something to make a difference in other people’s lives as a celebration of my 70th Birthday this year. My freedom to walk to the shops, through the countryside or along a beach, is something I’ve so often taken for granted. This was the sort of freedom I wished for so many disabled people, a way to making lives easier and more enjoyable. In January 2018, Tim Wood came to the Wednesday Community Club at Potters Bar Baptist Church as a guest speaker from Through the Roof. After hearing about the amazing work, and seeing the children who couldn’t walk; yet were so desperate to learn they would crawl to school rather than miss out on an education, my heart was stirred. I knew these were the people I wanted to help. After many weeks of training and planning a route, finally on 28th October, accompanied by my husband and brother and sister in law, I began the walk starting from South Kensington Station. Albert bridge was the first bridge we had to cross, and on entering Battersea Park, we were treated to the lovely sight of Vera raised over £1200. Thank you! all the trees in their Autumnal colours. We zigzagged across all the bridges, the last being Tower Bridge, covering 11½ miles, (12 bridges in total) walking in rain, sunshine, hail and more sunshine, all adding to the experience. After a night’s rest at Tower Hill, Tower Bridge was our starting point the next day. We followed the Thames Path to Island Gardens, and went under the foot tunnel to emerge in Greenwich. After a short walk around Greenwich we made our way along the South Bank back to Tower Bridge. There were a few diversions as neither the North or South banks have paths all the way along the river’s edge. Some of these diversions led into some very interesting places! The last 2 miles on the second day was hard but with determination and knowing the support of so many people was raising just over £1200, I had to finish the course and it was all worthwhile. An amazing two days, a dream fulfilled and hopefully dreams made for others. I thank our Lord for His upholding and the encouragement of friends & family. We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to support Through the Roof through a celebration, sponsorship, or special event— perhaps to mark an important birthday ot anniversary, like Vera. Please get in touch with us on 01372 749955 or [email protected], and we’ll be very happy to support you. Your generous gifts keep TTR changing lives. Please get in touch if you’ve got a fundraising idea. We’d love to support you. www.throughtheroof.org