AS Okehampton Round Table's Santa Float makes its way around the local area, you may have wondered where the money being collected goes. The answer is to local good causes — one such example was the support the organisation was able to give Linda Harris from Folly Gate towards her sponsorship for the recent Children's Society Walk in New York. Linda received a donation of £100 towards her fundraising to take part in the half-marathon walk around the streets of the Big Apple last month. Linda said the experience of taking part in the walk had been 'fantastic' and she thanked the Round Table for its support. She said: 'I can honestly say that I never had any ambition to see New York, but it is a truly amazing city. 'We had superb weather for the walk — unheard of apparently for November — and most of us wore the Children's Society t-shirt. 'In total, there were 122 people taking part, including Jenny McAlister, who plays Fizz in Coronation Street, and I understand that the total raised between us all was approximately £100,000. 'The walk started in Battery Park and wound its way through the financial district, Tribeca, Soho, Greenwich Village, Washington Park, Fifth Avenue, Broadway and Times Square. 'The first person home completed the walk in less than four hours while the last took just over nine hours.' Linda managed a time of around six hours — despite getting lost at one point — and is hoping once all her sponsorship money is in, she will have raised a personal total of around £3,000. Linda, an insurance broker with SISS in Cranmere Road, Okehampton, said: 'I am proud of my achievement and I really hope that the money raised will make a child's life easier. 'I was fortunate enough to enjoy a helicopter flight over the city, a ferry ride around the famous Statue of Liberty and to be able to stand at the top of the Empire State Building before it was time to come home.' The walk took place on Remembrance Day and Linda took time out to visit Ground Zero, where she said she felt truly humbled by the vastness of the site. Adding to the poignance of the occasion, she also watched the Veterans' Day Parade. As well as the Round Table, Linda also wanted to thank the Lions Club of Okehampton, Time+Space Distribution and her employers for contributing towards the fundraising. She also expressed thanks to village residents for their support: 'Everybody in Folly Gate and Inwardleigh has been so supportive. It has been truly amazing.' Linda said she was hoping to undertake another challenge to raise funds for the Children's Society again next year. 'I hope this isn't the last one,' she said. 'What I am hoping to do is take part in the trek around the Grand Canyon. It takes place over ten days next year.' Linda said she was spurred on to do the event by the chance to support such a worthwhile UK charity. 'The Children's Society is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and it does some excellent work for kids,' she said. l The Round Table also recently made a cheque presentation to Okehampton Rangers for £150 for new equipment. Round Table vice-chairman Joe Endacott is pictured (above left) presenting the cheque to Frances Endacott from the Rangers.
