Matthews Way Walk 2010

The sun shone for the 2010 Matthews Way Walk on the 9th May – a relief after the previous day's cold and rain. 93 people walked – probably the highest number in one group since the inaugural walk in 1997. I'm sure Matthew was looking down on us that day and saw the huge amount of support we received in his name.

With six miles of fields in front of us the walkers very soon got strung out and, on reaching the highest vantage points along the route, you could clearly see the line of people stretched out in the distance crossing the lush green meadows. At the finish there was probably a good 1.5 miles between the first walkers back to the village hall and those still out on the route.

About Matthews Way

Matthews Way is a circular walk of about six miles between the villages of North Marston and Quainton, made up of public footpaths that have been dedicated, waymarked and planted in memory of Matthew Lane, who died in 1996 just before his first birthday.

Trevor's thanks

Firstly our thanks should go to all those adults and children who turned out once again to walk Matthew's Way. We are truly humbled on each occasion to see so many people turn up to support us walk in Matthew's memory.

As always there was great support from the village as well as old friends who come in from all over the county. Yesterday we had several newcomers to Matthew's Way and we hope they will return to walk the route again in the future.

Refreshments were provided after the walk in the village hall and we have several people to thank for this. As well as Cathy, home made cakes were made by Jayne Dancer, Lisa Rowland, Dorothy Thomas, Tricia Mc Sweeney, Helen Shotton and Sarah Forsythe. Lynda Tomlins and Molly Sunderland served up the refreshments in the hall to the gratitude of us all. Thank you to all of these folks.

Funds

Although we do not set out to raise any funds on the Matthew's Way Walk day, many people in the past have asked if they could contribute financially to Matthew's Fund in return for their tea, cake and the event.

In response to this we now provide a box for donations, if desired, and we are delighted to say that due to those who gave so generously, the Special Care Baby Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital will benefit from £158 raised on the day.

Any money we raise through the year goes into the Matthew Lane Fund and once we have sufficient funds in the pot this then goes towards purchasing an item of medical equipment for the SCBU.