Sponsored Walk by Whitewater
There's still time to visit Whitewater's sponsorship pages - they have raised over £9,500! Let's take it up to £10,000!

Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire
Friday 23rd June 2006

This project, initiated by Miriam's ex-colleague and friend Steve Tse, was undertaken by twenty-six of Steve's colleagues at Whitewater. On Friday 23rd June 2006 they walked from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire to Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, a route of approximately sixteen miless

Here is Steve's report on the event.

WE DID IT!!

The walkers all finished in good time	It was a varied route through the Chilterns
The walkers enjoyed some breath-taking views	Steve Tse soaks his aching feet!

After months of preparation and organisation, the big day finally came. And what a perfect day it was. We started off from Berkhamsted Station and went along the Grand Union Canal Path. Rested at Cow Roast Lock before moving on to meet the Chiltern Way. We followed the route to Grim's Ditch, then through Drayton Wood and Beechwood Farm, before stopping at the White Lion in Buckland Common for a spot of lunch and a recharge! Then on for the second part of the walk... keeping on the Chiltern Way down to Durham Farm, through endless woods and fields (very picturesque), past Hampden House and Barne's Grove before ending the walk at Redland End.

To cap it all, we had a great party at our bosses house with delicious food from MC and funky sounds from Simon C and his band, Soul Jam, and guest vocalist, Esther! Despite tired feet and weary bodies we danced until late in the evening. Even I danced! - and I NEVER dance!! But I was dancing for Mim. And I was dancing because I was so happy and proud of what we have achieved. £7,000 was an ambitious target, but to pass it and go past £9,000 is just amazing. This event has been very close to my heart and I'm touched by the passion and commitment people have shown throughout.

There are so many people to thank... Steve and Claire, the Walk Committee (Nicky T, Clare H, Steve A, Nick C and Simon C), MC and helpers, Simon C and Soul Jam, my brilliant colleagues at Whitewater, Mavis, John and Esther for their continued support throughout, and everyone who sponsored us! Thank you one and all. It's been a privilege and an experience I will never forget.


And this email was written by Whitewater's Chairman, Steve Andrews

Hello All

I just wanted to put down on record my enormous thanks to the following:

Everyone in the band, Soul Jam, who gave so much so generously to entertain the Walk for Miriam walkers! You were brilliant and we are very very grateful. (Simon, please forward this).
Claire's parents, Ken & Wendy, who supported everyone based at Foresters Cottage and were so helpful in the clear-up too.
Bee, Ethan & Finn for organising the welcome banner! A nice end to our 16 mile trek.
Marie-Claire (Gordon Ramsey eat your heart out) Alphonso and her merry band of helpers, including Bee, Heather & Fatima. MC, we know what a massive effort it took on your part. More than one person mentioned to me that they'd rather walked than cooked!).
The organising committee: Clare H (who made sure the walk itself was so well planned), Nicky T (who took control over the evening event), Steve T (who chipped in on everything and inspired us all with the fundraising), Simon C (all round chipping in and Band supremo). You guys did a really fab job. The day went so smoothly.
Nick C for organising such a lovely route. And for not forcing us to do 18 miles instead!
Esther and Mavis Hyman for giving us so much moral support. It really helped to inspire us.
Extra thanks to Simon who got up at 5.30am, walked 16 miles and then sang his heart out!
Alternative Tents for giving us a really great charity deal on that gorgeous marquee. (Nicky, please forward this).
My Claire, who spend a few days getting the house and garden ready to receive you all! And then another two days clearing up!
The Walkers! You guys completed the walk with no fuss and have raised over £9,000. How cool is that?!
and finally, Steve T. Steve, we walked for Miriam and we walked for you because you're a top colleague. It was a real privilege.

Well done!
Steve


This is what Steve Tse wrote before the event

Hi everyone. My name is Steve Tse and I first met Miriam about 8 years ago when we worked together at Quarto. A couple of months after her death, my boss suggested that we at Whitewater do something to raise money for the Miriam Hyman Memorial Fund.

But what to do?

I was racking my brains out trying to think of something… anything that we could do as a company, that everyone could be a part of. Something to be proud of…

I had seen on the blog that Mim had hiked up Mt Snowdon with a friend, and that she loved going for walks on Hampstead Heath. So why not a sponsored walk? It was the perfect idea.

So that’s what we’re doing. On the 23rd June, we’ll be walking 16 miles around the Chiltern Hills to raise money for Mim's Fund. If you'd like to sponsor us, please go to http://www.whitewater.biz/miriam/ and click one of the links on the right.

I thank every one in advance and I'll be sure to tell you how it all went.

This is for you Mim. Much love, Steve T

You can also sponsor Steve and his colleagues online here

Tuesday 27-June-2006