£2,000 raised by trek for hospice

Young mum and faithful fundraiser Madonna Bond from the town organised the Benevenagh Ramble in aid of Foyle Hospice, which took place on Saturday, May 1. She and ten others climbed the Limavady Borough mountain through unpredictable terrain at the weekend to raise cash for the charity. Madonna decided to raise funds for the hospice, which provides care to sick people all over the borough as well as Derry,Tyrone, Donegal and Fermanagh, after the death of a close friend eight years ago. The charitable organisation provides specialised care and support both in the inpatient unit and in the community, for patients with cancer and other progressive illnesses. This care also extends to the family and further ongoing support is provided for bereaved families. Speaking to the Sentinel, Madonna described the ramble as a "great success".

She said: "The weather was excellent for us and the walk, although it was very tough, was so enjoyable. We were over very rough and rocky ground and in some places it was very marshy. There is still small patches of snow on top of the mountain which is surprising for May time."

"We left my house at 10am and walked to the Mass Rock near St Aidans Church, then climbed up and over the mountain to the summit where we stopped for lunch near the lake. We then made our way back down the hillside and through Benevenagh Nature Reserve before arriving in the carpark at St Aidans church at 4.15pm."

Madonna continued: "It was a real challenge and everyone found it tough work but the views were lovely and the fact that we had raised so much money for the Foyle Hospice kept us going and made it worthwhile."

"Our walk leader Adrian Barbour done a fantastic job planning the walk and we could not have managed without him. He put a great deal of hard work into organising a safe route and provided a lot of assistance and support. My family and friends who volunteered to do this walk with me and worked hard to get sponsorship deserve so much thanks."

Madonna began her fundraising efforts for the Binevenagh Ramble in January of this year on the whim of a new year's resolution. The money raised by the group greatly surpassed their first target of 250.

Madonna concluded: "I'd like to thank all who sponsored us and helped us raise so much money for a worthwhile cause. To date we have raised 1925 and there are still money outstanding. This is so much more than the 250 I'd hoped to raise!! People can still donate via www.justgiving.com/MBOND"

"Hopefully myself and my team, lead again by Adrian, will be fit and healthy enough to do a similar challenge for the Foyle Hospice next year."