A WELL-known dance teacher who has taught generations of youngsters is set to embark on a challenging walk in memory of her late husband.
Angela Kirkham-Raine is aiming to complete the 114k Pilgrimage fundraising walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
The funds raised will be donated to improvement works to Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre (KHPAC) in Malton which was set up over 30 years ago by Angela and the late Jennie Henry.
Angela said: "My late husband John and I visited Santiago on our last cruise holiday in 2018. I told John on the day we visited Santiago, I would hope to do the walk one day, of which as usual he said, go for it.
"Thinking about pushing John round in his wheelchair during our last fabulous cruise I decided to to try to raise funds for Friends of Kirkham Henry particularly for the improved accessibility, including the changing rooms, due to the amount of people attending Kirkham Henry who dance in wheelchairs.
"I’ve fully funded the walk myself as it is my summer holiday but ask anyone who could sponsor me in any amount you feel 114k walk over six days in the heat of the Spanish sun is worth any donation, where every amount will go to the Friends project.
"The walk will also be in memory of John who supported Kirkham Henry in every way he could."
Angela, said she had also received confirmation that KHPAC was now officially a Charitable Incorporated Organisation as Kirkham Henry CIC has combined with the Friends of Kirkham Henry Charity.
"We’re hoping this will lead to more funding for the building as officially the charity now own the building and not the community interest company, which will no longer exist.
"Together with Michaela Kemp as directors we made the decision not to become trustees of the new charity as we wanted to make it transparent and understandable that we will have no vote in decision making.
"We will be employed by the charity in our roles as principal and deputy principal to run the school and community hub as we always have but will have no power in the final decisions the trustees will make. This was our decision, hoping this will help with our fundraising."
Angela said she had been training hard for the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, which consists of a series of walking paths spanning across Europe. These various paths all converge in Santiago de Compostela, located in the North Western part of Galicia, Spain.
Dating back to the Middle Ages, pilgrims have traversed these routes, typically culminating their trek at the Santiago Cathedral. This historic destination is believed to house the burial site of St. James.
Angela said: "The hardest days on the route are generally considered to be the first two or three days, which include some steep climbs and descents. I sincerely hope I manage to complete the walk for KH and for John and thank you in anticipation of receiving some sponsorship for such a fantastic charity."
To sponsor Angela go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/angela-raine-1723322550638
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