Teenager steps up to the challenge for Hartlepool's Alice House Hospice with walking achievement

Fifteen-year-old Thomas Lindley has been out in all weathers this month to rack up 50 miles walking in aid of the hospice.

He has raised about £300 for Alice House – smashing his original estimate of £100.

Thomas also combined the walking challenge with his bronze Duke Of Edinburgh Award due to the current Covid restrictions.

They meant the usual kind of mountaineering challenges have had to be temporarily stopped.

And he was inspired by a Alice House Hospice challenge to supporters to walk a mile a day throughout February to raise money.

Thomas, whose mum Wendy works as a district nurse in Hartlepool, said: “The work that the Hospice does is vital in helping people who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"With the hospice being a local charity to Teesside any donations will be used to help local people.”

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He has been steadily clocking up the miles by walking around Thorpe Thewles village where he lives.

Thomas, a pupil at Ian Ramsey Church of England Academy in Stockton, added: “It’s been hard because of school work, preparing for my GCSEs in the summer, and also the weather.

"I thought I would raise about £100.”

Alice House Hospice has seen its fundraising hit by an estimated £1.5million over the last year due to the effects of the pandemic including the cancellation of all its major public events.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Thomas can do so at the fundraising page ‘One Mile Marathon for Alice House Hospice’ at justgiving.com

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