Steve smashes record on charity walk

East Devon businessman Steve Hartland broke his own record by raising more than £350 in aid of charity when he took part in this year’s Hospiscare Men’s Walk.

Steve, from Drakes Avenue, Sidford, who runs Marla Custom Blinds of Sidmouth, took part in this year’s event in memory of his father-in-law Bill, who was cared for in his local hospice in his final weeks.

Last year, when Steve joined in the inaugural Men’s Walk in and around Exeter, he raised £250. This year, after he appealed for sponsors through The Exeter Daily he managed to beat that target by more than £100, raising a grand total of £365.

Steve said: “I’m delighted to have managed to beat my 2012 fundraising total by more than £100, and it will all be going to such a worthwhile cause.

“The work that charities such as Hospiscare do is important to many people and is always worth supporting. I know from my own family’s experience that end-of-life care means so much to all involved, which is why I’m only too pleased to be able to help our local hospice charity in any way I can.

“I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me this year, particularly my supplier Custom Blinds and members of the Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Best of Exeter Breakfast Network group, Business Network South West Network Group, and the Entrepreneurs Circle Exeter, and of course The Exeter Daily for highlighting the fact I was taking part.

“The Men’s Walk this year was again great fun, and although the weather tried to do its best to dampen our spirits the wind and rain only added to the sense of achievement at the end of the event.”

Sarah Smith, community and events fundraising manager for Hospiscare, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Steve managed to raise so much, and are really pleased he had such a good time on the walk, despite the challenging weather conditions!

“The fundraising that Steve and the other men who took part have been doing will help Hospiscare to continue providing end-of-life care for people in Exeter, East and Mid Devon. We’re very grateful to Steve and everyone else who took part, and indeed to all their generous sponsors.”

The walk finished at Sandy Park, home of the Exeter Chiefs rugby club, where participants were treated to a pint and a pasty before being able to watch Wales v England in the Six Nations on the club’s big-screen TVs.

Steve said: “It was such a fantastic day, until the rugby started, and I’m glad those taking part in the walk had more success than Chris Robshaw and the rest of his team!”