The extra mile! Legal duo hoping to raise £10,000 for local causes on long-distance charity walk

Two partners and football fans from Dutton Gregory Solicitors are teaming up for a 19-mile walk on Saturday 1 July in support of Hampshire charities.

Paul Sams and Jonathan Whettingsteel have set a fundraising target of £10,000 to be shared jointly between their chosen causes, The Rainbow Centre in Fareham – where the walk will commence – and the Romsey Opportunity Group.

And with Jon’s beloved Saints suffering relegation to the Championship, he’ll be having to go the extra mile on the day thanks to an arrangement 10 months in the making.

Paul, who heads the Property team at Dutton Gregory, explained: “At the start of the Premier League season, Jon and I decided on an innocent bet for who would finish above who when the 2022/3 season concludes.

“Me being a Newcastle fan, and Jon being a Southampton supporter, the forfeit was to walk down our local High Street in a Cat Woman outfit.

“Jon lost the bet – however, we will both now be taking part in a walk covering a 19-mile distance to raise much-needed funds for two local causes close to our hearts.

“Jon works closely with the Romsey Opportunity Group, while I am a trustee and supporter of The Rainbow Centre.

“This one-day event will be a physical challenge, while also raising money and awareness for both charities and the excellent work they do.

“We – and the two charities – would be very grateful for donations and welcome the participation of other walkers who would like to take part.”

Paul’s charity, The Rainbow Centre, has been offering care and support to children and adults with neurological conditions for more than 30 years.

The team uses a system of learning called Conductive Education, a form of specialised neuro-rehabilitation which helps people to increase their level of ability.

Meanwhile, Jon will be supporting the Romsey Opportunity Group, an organisation which provides a stimulating environment for children with special needs to learn and develop through play.

The group meets twice a week at the Appletree Centre in Romsey, with each child assigned a one-on-one key worker responsible for their individual care.

Jon, Head of Family Law at Dutton Gregory, said: “I have a close personal involvement with the Romsey Opportunity Group.

“This is a charity myself and my family first became involved with in late 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic.

“Despite not being able to physically meet, the support and dedication they offered, not just to the children, but also their families in unusual and challenging circumstances was incredible.

“Since coming out of lockdown, it has been amazing to see how the attended groups offer families not just a place to meet and for children to play, but also providing their parents and carers with a place to share experiences and challenges.

“Every year, with the support of Dutton Gregory, I am able to arrange a quiz and curry fundraising event to raise funds for the Group, which is entirely reliant on donations and receives no Government funding.

“Raising money for two charities – who do such fantastic work in the local community – is something Paul and I are always pleased to do, and I’m sure Paul will be even more pleased if he can do it whilst embarrassing me!”

Paul and Jon welcome any and all donations on their GiveWheel page.