ON Saturday, April 30, we had a day of unremitting rain - but despite the weather, 143 brave people turned out to walk 20 miles on the Pennines to help St Leonard's Hospice.

They all took part in the annual St Leonard's Way Challenge Walk, which saw them following a circuit from Haworth to Hebden Bridge and back. Through the downpour they walked, still amazingly cheerful even at the worst moments.

They deserve our greatest thanks, not just for their perseverance but for paying for the privilege (and many of them getting sponsorship) to raise funds for the work of St Leonard's. Special thanks are due also to Mike Thorpe of Mike Thorpe Windows and to Colin Waltham of Badger Hill Bakery for providing much-needed refreshments.

The walkers were supported by a team of volunteers, who monitored the course, staffed check points - and fed the soggy participants at the end of the day.

Since the St Leonard's Way Challenge Walk was started in 1990 more than £120,000 has been raised for the work of the hospice.

We are confident that, despite the deluge, we shall have made another significant sum this year.

Thank you to everyone!

Janet Morley,

Fundraising manager,

St Leonard's Hospice

fundraising centre,

York Road,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, May 05, 2005