They’ve had their chips! Pals make ‘emotional and overwhelming’ 28-mile trek from Sutton Bridge to Hunstanton for seaside tea to raise cash for Prostate Cancer UK in memory of Trevor

Three pals have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the outpouring of support after completing a 28-mile charity trek - and smashing their fundraising target.

Andrea Graveling, Hailey Muller and Rachael Bowman marched the 28-miles from Sutton Bridge to Hunstanton on Saturday (July 13), determined to raise cash for Prostate Cancer UK.

The triumphant trio made the pilgrimage in memory of Andrea’s dad Trevor, who sadly passed away earlier this year after suffering from the illness.

But thanks to a community effort, they have more than trebled their original target of £500… even if they were left sore and blistered.

“All three of us just want to thank every single person who has taken the time to donate and support us,” Andrea said.

“We are so overwhelmed and grateful to every single one of them.”

The pals set off from Trevor’s home of the past 45 years in Sutton Bridge at 9.25am, ending their evening with an emotional meal of fish and chips by the sea.

Andrea had promised her dad they would enjoy a chippy tea on the Norfolk coast together before his illness and the weather meant they were sadly unable to make it.

But friends - and even drinkers at the nearby bars - gave the trio a rousing cheer as they completed their marathon-plus effort at Henry’s fish and chip restaurant, where staff remained open especially treat the fundraisers to a free slap-up meal.

“We were 50 minutes over estimated time and we ended up getting to Henry’s at 8.20pm,” said Andrea, who lives in Holbeach.

“Bless their hearts, they stayed open for us as they normally shut at 8pm.

“They gave us free fish and chips and mushy peas and curry sauce and a drink, they even stood outside and waited for us and cheered us on. It was so lovely, how nice was that?”

The energy-sapping trek was made that little bit easier by passing vehicles offering waves and beeps of encouragement.

“We got so many messages from people saying they’d seen us and wishing us luck,” Andrea added.

“My phone kept pinging and pinging and saying we’d got another donation and another donation.

“It was amazing, but we’re all paying for it now though.

“When we’d finished the walk and eaten our chips, when the three of us stood up we were all like ‘I don’t know how to move’.

“People watching us getting in the car to come home, we must’ve looked horrific.

“The day after our calves, thighs, feet and backs, we were in agony. We’ve got blisters, everything - but it was 100% worth it when you look at the money we’ve raised.”

Pals Hailey and Rachael, who both live in King’s Lynn and work with Andrea on the West Raynham stroke ward at the town’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, were good friends of Trevor.

Hailey was known as Trevor’s ‘football buddy’ due to their shared love of the game and the pair had pledged to ensure they watched England’s next final together, making the weekend’s walk even more poignant as it finished 24 hours before the country’s Euro 2024 clash with Spain.

“We had a few emotional moments together on the day,” Andrea added.

“It was so emotional to see how many people sponsored us because of my dad. it goes to show how liked he was.”

The JustGiving page remains open and donations can be made here.

But it wasn’t just friends of Trevor who gave their backing, Spalding’s Pendragon Antiques donating £100 to the total because of the worthy cause.