A group of determined walkers from Chantry have once again trekked through the night from Ipswich to Cambridge, raising more than £30,000 for charity in the past three years.

On Friday, 12 walkers aged 15 to 65 set off from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in Cambridge, walking through the night for a whopping 21 hours and 56 miles until they had reached the children’s hospice in Ipswich.

For Carl Chatfield, this was the third year in a row that he has set himself this daunting challenge, having made similar journeys last year and in 2022, when he and two friends set off from Abbey Stadium bound for Portman Road.

There is no time for sleep on the journey, with walkers stopping every 10 miles for five minutes for a drink and a quick snack before continuing their way.

The group cross the border to Suffolk, having set off from Cambridge. The group cross the border to Suffolk, having set off from Cambridge. (Image: Carl Chatfield) Carl Chatfield, walking in the lead. Carl Chatfield, walking in the lead. (Image: Carl Chatfield)

The Chantry walkers cross the border to Suffolk, having set off from Cambridge. The group walked throughout the night, stopping only for a few minutes at a time . (Image: Carl Chatfield)

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Chatfield said that he was still exhausted but elated.

By the time all sponsorship has been collected and events have finished, he is anticipating that they will have raised around £8,500.

Combined with the £9,000 raised in 2022 and £15,000 last year, this gives a combined total of £32,500.

This year, the money will be shared between Suffolk Accident Rescue Service, Helping Hands Suffolk, Lymphoma Action and East Anglia Children's Hospice.

“Spirits were high this year from start to finish,” said Mr Chatfield. Not all of the walkers knew each other, and the journey gave them ample time to share their stories.

The Chantry Walkers with representatives of their chosen charities. Centre in a green dress, Sarah Waspe of Lymphoma Action; to the right, Joe McCormack of Helping Hands Suffolk; in sunglasses, Anna Bruce from EACH. The Chantry Walkers with representatives of their chosen charities. Centre in a green dress, Anna Bruce from EACH; to the right, Joe McCormack of Helping Hands Suffolk; in sunglasses, Sarah Waspe of Lymphoma Action. (Image: Carrie Basford)
The team were pleased to be supporting EACH this year.The team were pleased to be supporting EACH this year. (Image: Carrie Basford) The walkers didn't all know each other before they set off, but had all bonded by the time they arrived in Ipswich. The walkers didn't all know each other before they set off, but had all bonded by the time they arrived in Ipswich. (Image: Carrie Basford)

This year, Mr Chatfield was accompanied by Leo Leamey, Sebastien Smith, Ollie Smith, Tina Keeley, June Procter, Leigh Ellsmore, Steven Nichols, Jodie Gunner, Clorina Warner, Dwayne Debnam and Natalie Smith.

Meanwhile, drivers Shane Sparrow, Jon-Paul Moore and Penny Youngs-Debnam kept pace with the walkers in support vehicles, to make sure that everyone was safe.

Carrie Basford has been doing an “amazing” job keeping track of the group’s social media pages, organising sponsorship and masterminding events.

To donate, visit gofundme.com and search 'Carl and crew', or click here