Prime Minister offers personal encouragement to Chilterns 3 Peaks walkers

Over 700 walkers took to the Chilterns hills on Sunday 18th September to raise money for IRGH - and some were helped on their way with personal words of encouragement from the Prime Minister!

As a group of walkers including the our President, Moira Rennie, passed near Chequers they met David Cameron and his family out for a Sunday walk with friends - a chance meeting between President and Prime Minister!

Former Iain Rennie carer and volunteer David Cokes also met the PM: “He was very supportive of our efforts to raise money for our cause and it gave an added dimension to what was a wonderful occasion. It never fails to move me when I see so many people gathered together to support a cause I'm so passionate about and this year's 3 Peaks Challenge was no exception.”

Participants, including over 100 dogs, converged on Princes Risborough where BBC Presenter and IRGH Patron Bill Turnbull acted as official starter. At the 5 mile point in Wendover, challengers took a rest and refuelled. Delicious burgers and bacon rolls were on offer served by kind volunteers from High Wycombe Rotaract Club and by retired weatherman Bill Giles, a patron of IRGH.

Robert Breakwell, Chief Executive of IRGH, walked the 9 mile route and said: “I walked with different groups of people for most of the way and I was both heartened and inspired by the different stories I was told about why people were supporting our charity. Although I have always been very proud of the wonderful work our nurses do with patients, it was uplifting to hear first hand from so many different people on one day that their work and all the support services we offer are so highly valued.”

Final pledge totals have yet to be received but we are hoping to have raised in excess of £75,000 from the walk.

Events Manager, Ruth Barber , was delighted: “It was a really enjoyable day and the feedback from the walkers was really positive. We owe so much not just to our walkers, but also to the hundreds of people who turned out to help at the event. High Wycombe Rotaract whose barbecuing skills are now legendary, our volunteer marshalls were fantastic and the ten enthusiastic Arriva bus drivers who make the logistics of the day possible! We would like to thank everyone involved in the event – and we hope they will all join us to do it all again next year.”

You can still support the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge by using our new Text Giving Service. Simply text the code CTPK01 followed by the amount you wish to donate (£1. £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070 and the money will be deducted from your credit balance or added to your bill. You'll have the option to add gift aid too and 100% of the money goes to IRGH.

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