£35,000 has been raised by two individuals who have completed an "epic 180-mile ramble" through Hertfordshire.

Gordon Morrison and Jim Tatchell completed the walk for 12 children's charities, setting off from Bishops Stortford on Saturday, April 29.

The pair - who founded Helping Herts - returned to the town last Saturday (May 13).

Helping Herts is a county-wide charity campaign, supporting 12 different organisations.

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These include Coram Life Education, Herts Young Homeless, For Baby’s Sake, Herts Mind Network, Grove Cottage, Home-Start Herts, Phoenix Group for Deaf Children & Adults, PlaySkill, the Ollie Foundation, NSPCC, CHEXS and Keech Hospice Care.

During their walk, Gordon and Jim visited Widford, Cuffley, Shenley, Kings Langley, Codicote, Little Wymondley, Hertford and St Albans.

Gordon Morrison said: "I am really chuffed that we are well on our way to achieving our goal to raise £50,000.

The Comet: Jim and Gordon with a team from Bupa Dental Care, former MP Mark Prisk, and Mayor of Bishops Stortford Dave Anderson.Jim and Gordon with a team from Bupa Dental Care, former MP Mark Prisk, and Mayor of Bishops Stortford Dave Anderson. (Image: Helping Herts)

"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated; this is a fantastic amount of money which will make a real difference to the charities involved.”

Jim Tatchell added: "The walk was not without its challenges – Gordon seems to have the knack of attracting the close attention of any cattle or horses in fields that the route passes through!

"We had to rapidly change our plans at Cuffley, when an accident occurred. 

"We were also amazingly lucky with the weather, apart from the final Friday where we got quite wet during the middle of the day.

                                                                                            

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"We avoided any rain for the whole two weeks – when the heavens did open it was only after we’d finished!

“It feels strange to have finally finished the 2023 Coronation Walk.

"The blisters can heal up now and the feet can rest - walking a half marathon distance (about 20k) every day has been hard this year but if it wasn't tough, it wouldn't be a challenge!

“No rest for the HH team though, we now look forward to our next events - a sustainable fashion show this Wednesday (May 17), a clay pigeon shoot, and our presence at Standon Calling - you can find out all about these and more on our events page at  www.helpingherts.com!”

Donations can still be made to Gordon and Jim's coronation walk, via the event's website: www.helpinghertscoronationwalk.heroes.help