COLLEAGUES from three branches of The Southern Co-operative Funeralcare completed a 10-mile walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal to raise money for charity.

Staff from Frome, Warminster and Westbury raised £346 for the disabled children’s charity, Whizz-Kidz, which provides disabled children with essential wheelchairs and other mobility equipment they need to lead fun and active childhoods.

Karen Coleman, Funeral Co-ordinator for The Southern Co-operative Funeralcare in Westbury, said: “We decided to be quite ambitious with our fundraiser for Whizz-Kidz and embark on a lengthy 10-mile walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

“The first five miles were great – the weather was kind and pleasant to us – however for the second half of the walk, the heavens opened up and we got completely drenched. It was all worth it and we remained in high spirits as our sponsored walk managed to raise over £300 for Whizz-Kidz.”

The 10-mile walk formed part of The Southern Co-operative Funeralcare’s service-wide fundraiser hoping to conclude their charity partnership with Whizz-Kidz, with a bang, adding a cash boost to the £335,000 already raised by The Southern Co-operative.

Amanda Wilkinson, Director of Fundraising for Whizz-Kidz said: “My huge thanks go to the colleagues of The Southern Co-operative Funeralcare for their support for Whizz-Kidz.

“We’re delighted that so many colleagues are getting involved in the ‘Release the Piece’ fundraising challenge, aiming to help the partnership raise an additional £5,000.

“This fantastic sum is enough to enable us to provide a disabled child with a life-changing powered wheelchair, giving them the freedom and independence they need to enjoy a fun, active childhood.”

Throughout March and April, all 59 branches and services, including their funeral homes, florist, crematorium, masonry and natural burial ground, will be holding local fundraisers, ranging from a colleague car wash with cake, a race night, samba band busking and book sales.

Once each branch has held its fundraiser, the jigsaw puzzle will be put together by an ambassador from Whizz-Kidz who will announce the total raised for the charity.