Retired GP completes 88-mile challenge to raise money for Derwent Hill

Dr. Julie Carter completed her 88-mile, 3-day challenge on Thursday, 10th April, coinciding with her 61^st birthday. She crossed the finish line at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, cheered on by family, friends, colleagues, and young people from local school Dame Dorothy.

Originally from Sunderland, Julie Carter first visited Derwent Hill over 40 years ago and cites her experiences at the centre as pivotal to her lifelong passion for the great outdoors and giving her the confidence to become a successful GP, champion fell runner, published author and accomplished playwright and actor. 

Julie is aiming to raise £10,000 to send a class of 30 school children to the centre as a thank you to Derwent Hill for the opportunity she received at just 13 years old and to enable other families who may financially struggle to send their children on residential trips to do so.

North East businesses are being encouraged to support Julie's fundraising efforts through donations to the Friends of Derwent Hill. With backing from the registered charity, she aims to raise enough funds to provide a class of young children with a five-day residential stay.

Speaking of the challenge, Julie said: "For my 60th birthday, I decided to raise money for Derwent Hill and spent months training for this run so to complete it on my 61^st birthday is a real milestone for me. Despite the tough terrain, and the long distance testing me, I'm delighted to have completed the challenge. The beautiful scenery and the immeasurable support from the Derwent Hill team, my friends, family, and the local communities in Keswick and Sunderland have really kept me going.

"Huge thank you to everyone who has donated to my cause already. I am honoured to be able to send some young people to Derwent Hill and give them the change to experience the same activities, views and opportunities as I did. Many children sadly don't get to take part in such experience due to circumstances and financial limitations but experiences like Derwent Hill can have a profound and lasting impact on young people.  I hope this challenge shows others how much can be achieved and that the young people I am delighted to be able to send to Derwent Hill discover something they didn't know about themselves like I did."

Supported by Together for Children, Julie's run saw her leave from Derwent Hill in Keswick on Tuesday 8 April, cross moorland and take pathways including the Pennine Way across Teesdale and Weardale before heading towards Chester-le-Street and following the River Wear into Sunderland to complete her challenge.  The 88 miles of the challenge equates to more than three marathons.

Ray Ross from the Friends of Derwent Hill charity, said: "We're proud that Derwent Hill has had such a lasting impact on Julie's life for over 40 years, and honoured that she has taken on this challenge to raise money to send a group of children to the centre. Her resilience and passion are awe-inspiring, and it has been a real privilege to have her support and to watch her complete this journey.

"The Friends of Derwent Hill have been incredibly supported throughout. We've received wonderful comments and donations from local businesses about her efforts, and we'd love to add a bit more to the total. If we can help other children in the same way Derwent Hill helped Julie all those years ago, it will be an amazing legacy for the centre as well as Julie's efforts. We're always extremely grateful for donations, large or small so it would be wonderful to hear from anyone else who is interested in donating to The Friends of Derwent Hill."

Located on the outskirts of Keswick, Derwent Hill is owned by Sunderland City Council and operated by Together for Children. It welcomes more than 2,600 children each year for residential visits with more than 80% living in and around Sunderland.   The centre also offers a diverse array of development training courses for business of all sizes.

Simon Marshall, Director of Children's Services and Chief Executive of Together for Children, added: "Running 88-miles in just three days is a brilliant achievement and I'd like to extend a huge congratulations and thank you to Julie for taking on this challenge on behalf of Derwent Hill. Julie's story is a very welcome remind about just how much of a difference Derwent Hill can make for young people and her passion and determination is inspiring. We look forward to welcoming the children she has funded to visit the centre in the coming months."

Councillor Michael Butler Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Child Poverty and Skills at Sunderland City Council said:  "Derwent Hill is a wonderful resource to have and one of the only outdoor centres still owned by a local authority in the country and we are particularly proud to welcome over 2,000 children from Sunderland each year to the centre, as well as a whole host of corporate partners. Nothing beats getting out and about in the fresh air and taking on something you didn't know you could do, and Julie truly epitomises what can be achieved when children are encouraged to try something new and to push themselves."

Julie Carter has several writing credits to her name, including Makin a Mackem, Running the Red Line, and The Dreamtime Fell Runner.

Donations can be made via Friends of Derwent Hill's JustGiving Page.  For businesses looking to find out more, email derwent.hill@sunderland.gov.uk .