Each year the president of The Foresters Friendly Society selects a charity they consider worthy of encouragement in transforming British society. This year the president, John Springham (at the centre of the photograph) has chosen the Youth Sport Trust.

To help raise funds, five Forester's members (Glyn Carpenter, Alan Mackinnon, Helen Hicks, Charlotte Clark and Trish Slade) embarked on a walking tour along Hadrian's wall in the north of England. To support them Madelaine Harris and Richard Wyborn offered logistical help in moving our heavy loads along the wall.

Nothing great is easy, but after a grueling six days up and down so many hills we lost count of them, we made it look easy. Steve Wrigley's daughter Charlotte joined us for the last three days. It was a great pleasure for us all to share her stories of her Dad.

Our mutual destinies showed a flair for survival. None of us were unfairly held back by a lack of walking talent; we just kept practicing until we got it right on the last day. We have now collected enough yarns from each other to weave a tapestry. The end offered prospects of occasion; so we later gathered to celebrate in a Thai restaurant.

We would all like to thank Madelaine and Richard for all the support they gave us by carrying our heavy loads. They both provided respite care for our backs and our souls.

We cannot thank you all enough for your kind and generous donations for supporting the cause we tramped along the wall for: Youth Sport Trust. When we meet you personally in the near future we will ensure you are shown the gratitude you all deserve.