Family raises more than £2,000 in memory of Trevor

A MARATHON trek has helped raise more than £2,000 for cancer support in memory of a Teesdale grandfather.

Barnard Castle’s Trevor Joel died in February after an eight year battle with cancer.

His daughters, Claire Tobbell and Lisa Dixon, joined family and friends on a 26.2 mile walk from Hexham to Carlisle on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support late last month.

Mrs Tobbell, 44, found out about the charity event while caring for her father.

She said: “One night we were sitting with dad and I saw it on the iPad. I thought I could do that.

“Me and my sister Lisa walk a lot anyway with the dogs but nothing like clambering up and down rock faces.”

Mr Joel was a keen walker and his family saw the Macmillan “Mighty Hike” as a fitting fundraiser and tribute.

The siblings joined their cousin and two close family friends to complete the hike in nine hours alongside 380 competitors.

Mrs Tobbell said strong headwinds made the undulating course tough.

She added: “It was horrendous and in your face all the way – sometimes we were climbing over the top of rocks which was quite daunting.

“But it was lovely. The atmosphere was just amazing – everyone kept everyone else going. It was a very emotional day.”

The event raised £195,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in all while the group of five managed to gather about £2,000 collectively.

The family have maintained close ties to the charity with Mr Joel’s granddaughter, Shannon, raising £1,800 for Macmillan at an event in February.

Mrs Tobbell, who works at St Teresa’s Hospice, paid tribute to Macmillan nurse Helen Lambert for all her help in her father’s later years.

“They were fabulous with dad all the way through – they were great with us as individuals as well,” she added.

“Helen became a friend to the family really.

“She was absolutely fabulous. We would not have managed without them.

“The whole town has just supported us fabulously –

we are so grateful to everyone.”

The mother-of-two revealed the family group had another “Mighty Hike” in their sights – this time in the Lake District.

She added: “We might do something for the hospice as when dad was in there they were fantastic.

“We may get really adventurous next year.

“Dad loved walking – he would have loved to have done something like that.”