Cartmell Shepherd Steps Up for St Oswald’s Big Hike 2025

We’re proud to share that four members of the Cartmell Shepherd team from our Hexham office, Jennifer Robinson, Alan Douglas, Emma Burns (along with her son), and Ashley Shepard, will be taking on The Big Hike 2025, a charity challenge in support of St Oswald’s Hospice.

The Big Hike is more than just a walk along the stunning Hadrian’s Wall trail, it’s an opportunity to give back to a local charity that provides critical care and support to people across the North East. With just 34% of its £13 million annual costs funded by the government and NHS, St Oswald’s relies heavily on the generosity of donors and fundraisers like our team.

Each participant aims to raise at least £150, which could fund:

• 5 hours of nursing care
• 12 hours of bereavement support for a grieving child
• 20 days of home-cooked meals for a patient

For Jennifer, the challenge was an easy “yes.”

“Going for walks has always been a family favourite. When I heard about St Oswald’s Big Hike, I jumped at the opportunity,” she said. “The services St Oswald’s provides are invaluable to the North East, and it’s a great way to support them while exploring the incredible trails around our region.”

Director Alan Douglas is also proud to be part of the team.

“I’m always looking for ways to stay active at the weekend, so combining that with raising money for a great cause is ideal,” he said. “St Oswald’s does incredible work, and I’m delighted to be able to support them.”

Ashley Shepard shares a personal motivation for joining the walk:

“St Oswald’s is a local charity that supports so many families during the hardest times of their lives. Knowing that the money we raise will directly help patients and their loved ones makes every mile meaningful. I’m proud to be part of this team and proud to support this cause.”

We’re also thrilled that Emma Burns and her son will be joining the hike, showing that this is a challenge for all generations and a true family effort. Emma said “St Oswald’s plays a vital role in our community by offering compassionate, specialist care to those with life-limiting conditions. Supporting them helps ensure that more families get the support they need.”

By taking part in The Big Hike 2025, our colleagues are not just raising money, they’re raising awareness and helping ensure that St Oswald’s can continue to offer life-changing care to those who need it most.

You can support the team and donate via the fundraising page here

Every pound helps. Thank you for standing behind our team and helping us support a charity that truly makes a difference.