A PAIR of intrepid teachers from a York primary school have walked from one side of the country to the other to raise money for St Leonard’s Hospice.

Helen Glendinning and Lorraine Bradshaw, of St George’s RC Primary School in Fishergate, raised more than £1,200 for the hospice in the 192-mile trek from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Spurred on by the fact that 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the walk, they decided to tackle it this summer and to raise funds for the Hospice as they did it.

Helen said: “Of course, we had sore knees and blisters to contend with, but it was a great adventure and we really enjoyed the experience.’ Walking partner Lorraine said: “Our aim was to raise £1,000 for St Leonard’s Hospice, and we exceeded our target, with £1,225 in total. We’d like to thank all our families and friends who have supported us, especially staff and parents at St George’s and the members of Fulford Conservative Club.’ The pair followed the original route, created by writer Alfred Wainwright, which took them from the Lake District, through the Yorkshire Dales and across the North York Moors.

The wet summer weather had turned some of the paths into rivers, and they were also challenged by large boggy areas – as well as a total ascent of more than 23,000 feet.

Helen and Lorraine completed the walk in 12 days, in sections of between 12 and 24 miles.

Sue Miller, fundraising manager at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “It’s great that Helen and Lorraine have achieved their ambition of walking the Coast to Coast route – and it’s wonderful that they have raised so much for the work of St Leonard’s by doing it.

“Thank you to them and to everyone who sponsored them.”