Team to trek 82 miles along Jurassic coast

Aug 26 2008 By Chris Henwood

A TEAM from news wholesaler Smiths News have made the headlines by trekking 82 miles of the Jurassic Coastline to raise cash for Birmingham’s Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The seven-strong team’s adventure started in Branscombe and finished at Old Harry’s Rocks at the end of the Jurassic Coastline in south Devon and Dorset.

They covered the distance with an average of 23 miles each day, and are no strangers to adversity.

In September 2006, they completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge and in August last year they crossed England, coast-to-coast, along Hadrian’s Wall in just three-and-a-half days. Their efforts have raised £4,000 for the hospice.

Luke Simons, Premier Club manager at Smiths News, said: “This stretch of the Jurassic coastline is no stroll along the beach – steep cliffs meant it was harder than scaling Snowdon four times over.

“But the strain on our legs was nothing compared to the courage needed by youngsters coping with terminal illness. We’re aiming to smash previous records this year, raising even more for the Acorns Children’s Hospice.”

Adela Shephard, Acorns head of fund-raising, paid tribute to the fund-raising efforts of the Smith News team.

“We are delighted that Luke and his team of fundraising trekkers from Smiths News in Worcester have achieved such a magnificent feat to help raise vital funds and awareness for Acorns,” she said.