A GROUP of Black Country restaurant and hotel staff braved blisters to complete a gruelling 20 mile trek around the region for charity.

Staff from the area’s Whitbread companies raised more than £1,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) from their seven hours and 50 minute walk, which they did in fancy dress.

Neil Woodall, duty manager at Stourbridge Brewers Fayre, who organised the walk, said: “The whole day went really well and we were able to complete the walk in the eight hours expected.

“Not all members of the group were able to finish though, mainly due to blisters, but everybody set out and had a really good day.

“We raised over £1,000 which was our target and while I was pushing a wheelbarrow around the route people chucked at least £200 in, which was brilliant.

“14 of us started the walk and 11 finished, of those starting we had Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee, a minion and a dog joining us, as well as a hot dog and I know that she found it hard walking for so long in her costume.”

The 20-mile route started at The Lakeside Brewers Fayre, in Oldbury, before heading to the Bluebrick in Wolverhampton – via the Premier Inn, in Dudley. The group returned into Dudley borough to the finish line at Stourbridge Brewers Fayre, by the way of The Kingswinford Beefeater Grill.

Neil added: “As a Great Ormond Street Community Champion I’m always looking to do stuff to raise money for the hospital.

“I’m planning to do a big charity quiz in August which will be a movie and music quiz and as it’s half term, we have had children’s activities going on in the restaurant.

“One of our staff members has been baking cakes and selling them for charity.

“I have also been invited to the hospital, so while I am down there I will get some ideas for events from them.”

For more information, or to donate towards the walk online, visit www.justgiving.com/neilwoodallgosh