Page 266 - She's One Crazy Lady!

1:1 time to talk, chill out and relax. It was a service our members loved and that we were all very proud of.
As the years progressed we were so, so lucky with all the additional help we received...
I must mention the two Rotary groups from Kettering who were willing to be at Wicksteed Park for a 6.00 am start, for years – one group offering their services as car park attendants and the other helping to set up gazebos and marquees (that were initially hired – before we had our own distinctive pink and white ones) and marking out the course; Ray Gardner, who, with Phil Malone, (both ex-Radio Northampton presenters) were on stage (yes, we moved on to hiring a purpose-built, weather-proof stage with a roof) – to be our dynamic announcers for the duration and played continual, upbeat music as well as interacting with all the walkers to keep them going; Jo Malone (Trustee), who with husband Phil, expertly filmed the walks, interviewed many of the walkers and produced excellent (if not emotional) ‘keepsake’ videos that
were always played at our Awards Evenings which were also held at Wicksteed Park.
Many different local celebrities kindly performed for us on stage or helped to cut the ribbon – Faryl Smith and Ashleigh & Pudsey (from Britain’s Got Talent), Bernie Keith from Radio Northampton, local folk band ‘Ock ‘n’ Dough’, Steel Bands, Pipe Bands, Scout Bands, Corby Male Voice Choir, The Seagrave Singers, Youth Theatre Groups; a Ukelele Ensemble – and I mustn’t forget Nigel – Nigel Adair, who, for several years powerfully sang our adopted song: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, with walkers emotionally singing along – all holding hands
as we continued with the Minute’s Silence – there were always tears! Nigel also supported many of our other fundraising events.
The list of volunteer ‘helpers’ on every walk just grew and grew. Before the start of a walk we introduced warm up sessions with ‘Miranda’ and later with Sue from ‘Fit-Steps’. These warm ups were a great success and enormous fun with our walkers and the many dignitaries, especially when it was cold – which was often!
Over the years we experienced every type of weather imaginable – freezing temperatures, snow, wind,
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