A HEXHAM-based accountancy firm has raised over £5,000 to support disabled people and their families at Calvert Trust Kielder.

Patricia J. Arnold selected Calvert Trust Kielder as its chosen charity for 2017 and as its latest challenge, 19 members of staff, family and friends took on a walk the full distance around Kielder Reservoir.

Calvert Trust Kielder enables people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve their potential through the challenge of outdoor adventure at its site in Kielder Water & Forest Park.

Fifteen of the 19 Patricia J. Arnold walkers completed the full distance of 25.3 miles, while the remaining four contributed to the total of the 428.3 miles walked.

In addition to the sponsored walk, other fund-raising activities so far have included supporting the Calvert Trust golf day and a team visit to the centre and Kielder Observatory.

The next milestone on the fund-raising calendar is the firm’s silver sponsorship of The Calvert Ball in October.

Patricia Arnold, owner and founder of the firm, said: “I feel very strongly that any organisation that enables people who confront major physical and mental challenges to live as full a life as possible should be supported.

“Calvert Trust Kielder does this big time and we hope we can help a little bit towards their goal.

“Spending time with the people at Calvert Trust Kielder is also a great pleasure for our staff.

“We really enjoy our visits to the centre.”