A group of friends from Redlingfield have smashed their fundraising target to help fund the expansion of the Doorstep Green recreational area.
Redlingfield, a small village near Eye in north Suffolk, is raising funds to convert two acres of farmland into a recreation and wildlife area for the village, adding to an existing three quarter acres area called Doorstep Green.
Tony Rose-Freitas, Steven Capps, Robert Griffiths, and John Chapman completed the Suffolk Costal Path from Lowestoft to Aldeburgh and in the process raised more than £2,000.
Mr Rose-Freitas said: 'We had a wonderful day for it, bright and sunny, if anything it was a little too warm. It was harder than we thought it would be but well worth it, we are really pleased that we raised so much.
'Along the way, people were great. At our first stop, we were delighted to find that the regulars had raised £300 for us, which was a great surprise and very generous.'
The group took on the challenge on Sunday, October 21. A number of venues along the route supplied the walkers with refreshments, The Sailors Home at Kessingland, which also raised £300, Southwold Pier, the Beach Café at Dunwich and The Brudenell Hotel at Aldebugh, who also sponsored the team's shirts, all offered support.
Redlingfield Parish Council clerk Janet Norman-Philips said: 'We are really delighted that Tony and his friends have done so well. It's a real boost for the project.
'What we didn't realise back we created it, was just how popular the Doorstep Green was going to be nor that it was far too small.'
The council has raised more than £27,000 to buy an additional two acres of agricultural land to extend Doorstep Green.
Although the council has purchased this land, work needs to be done to make it accessible and suitable for use.
The aim is to create a road with parking and an extended wildlife area. A fence will be installed along the edge of the area with specialised plants to encourage the hedgehog population.
Ms Norman-Phillips added: 'The costs involved are far greater than we had hoped and the £10,000 we have to do this initial work simply isn't enough, we need to raise a further £10,000 to get it finished. Tony's walk has really helped a lot.'
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