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Before the start at 2pm, John and Nancy Eckersley, formerly of Heslington Church in York, where Nancy was the vicar, who had walked from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise funds for Christian Aid, spoke of the needs of people in Sierra Leone to access clean water and encouraged all the walkers who were taking part. CAFOD partner Lemlem Berhe Tsegay then spoke about her work in Ethiopia before taking part in the walk across the bridge. She was very impressed with the size, structure and engineering that went into the building of the impressive and iconic landmark.

Sarah Hagger-Holt from CAFOD’s Campaigns Team joined us for the day and made the trek across the bridges span and back, speaking to CAFOD supporters who had turned out to join in the fun. Among them were three very fit young girls, Charlotte, Sophie and Yvette from Hedon’s Ss Mary & Joseph’s parish who crossed the bridge SIX times in total, running for the first two crosses! Oh to be young!

It was lovely to see so many smiling faces as we walked along, including Richard Frith, the Anglican Bishop of Hull, who stopped for a chat with Norah Hanson. There was a good contingent of CAFOD supporters from all around Hull’s churches and further afield. Brian Salmon lent a hand at CAFOD’s registration desk while his wife Maureen, crossed the bridge. Brian, who had been expecting to be a steward but wasn’t needed, as they were enough volunteers, told me he had a CAFOD sweatshirt from the 1980′s that he would have worn, if he’d known! Teresa and Les Ulyatt came from Holy Cross, Cottingham and Sheila and Bernard Swift, came from St Anthony’s and Our Lady of Mercy who have been supporting CAFOD for over 50 years.

Catherine and Jamie Greenaway from Ss Mary & Joseph’s parish in Pocklington strolled along holding hands and Bashir and Margaret Siraj from St Vincent’s parish  had brought a good group along with them too and a great day was had by all – even if some of us were footsore and leg weary!