Staff at a York insurance brokers have completed a coast-to-coast walk for charity.

Director Derek Parry, 52, and Account Executive Chris Midgeley, 33, from insurance brokers Smart and Cook, at Huntington, York, raised more than £5,000 for the Cardiomyopathy Association with their 190-mile hike across England.

Derek and Chris, who finished their sponsored walk at Robin Hood's Bay, chose the charity because Derek's wife, Isobel, suffers from cardiomyopathy. She is one of 200,000 people in the UK who have the heart muscle disease, which is the number one cause of sudden death in those under 30 and the main reason for heart transplantation. Derek said: "This was a really enjoyable adventure for both of us. Despite the reliable British weather giving us nine days of rain, we managed to keep on schedule all the way to Robin Hood's Bay."

Former football star Terry Yorath, patron of the Cardiomyopathy Association, who backed the expedition and met the pair in training to lend his support, said: "I would like to congratulate Derek and Chris for this great achievement for such a worthy cause. Like me, they know the effect that this condition can have on a family, and I would like to pay tribute to their efforts."

Anyone who would like to make a donation should contact Kath Guy on 01904 644944.

Thornton-le-Dale resident Phil Fletcher put his best foot forward on a sponsored coast-to-coast walk, raising cash for Ryedale Special Families.

Phil's son, Tom, who joined in the final part of the walk, benefits from the help the charity provides, so Phil decided to tackle the gruelling 190-mile challenge.

"They are doing very well and providing really quite an important service to those in need, and so far in excess of £1,000 has been promised," he said.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, June 12, 2003