Striding out in memory of mum

Sheffield sisters Deborah, from Bolsterstone, and Amanda, of Stannington, will be joined by friends and family when they navigate the 46 leg-aching miles of the Bradfield Parish Boundary over the weekend.

They’ve organised the challenge in memory of their much-loved mum, Peggy Holmes, who died five years ago at the age of 73.

Peggy was well known in the Stocksbridge community where she was the cook at Newton Grange old people’s home before retiring in 1996. Through the 1980s and 1990s the family also owned Holmes’, a local bread and grocery shop on Hole House Lane in Stockbridge.

A group of around 20 friends and family will be taking part in ‘Peggy’s Walk’ on Saturday and Sunday, starting in Bolsterstone and hopefully completing the tough but beautiful walk around the boundary of what is the largest civil parish in England.

The sisters have been training for the challenge since February and navigating all the different sections of the boundary walk with their 79-year-old father, Dennis Holmes, from Deepcar, providing the support vehicle and sandwiches.

“We have been thinking for some time now that we’d like to do something in memory of our Mum. We both really love walking and we have so many lovely memories of spending time with our Mum and Dad and later with our own children in the area, so we decided to look at walking the Bradfield boundary,” says Deborah, 51, who has two teenage daughters.

The sisters are hoping to raise money for Diabetes UK. The route will take them from Bolsterstone to Langsett then across the moorland on to Fairholmes at Ladybower; the next leg goes from Fairholmes to Redmires, where they’re expecting to finish the first day of walking late into the evening. After a few hours rest they’ll pick up the route early the following morning at Redmires heading through Stannington to Wadsley and finishing back in Bolsterstone.

Mum of two sons Amanda, 46, who is also a Bradfield parish councillor, said: “My oldest child, Oliver, 15, was diagnosed with diabetes last year so that has really focused our thoughts on doing something in Mum’s memory, but also on trying to raise some funds for Diabetes UK.”

The sisters will be joined by friends and family from across the Yorkshire region and further afield in their challenge as well as some parish councillors.

Anyone who knew Peggy and would like to join the walk contact on 07747 621902 or 07831 721466.

http://www.justgiving.com /DebsandMands