A former high sheriff of Norfolk who raised £65,000 for unpaid carers has started distributing the money, but his fund raising efforts are far from over.

Eastern Daily Press: Crossing the Loire. Picture: Twitter/James BaggeCrossing the Loire. Picture: Twitter/James Bagge (Image: Twitter/James Bagge)

James Bagge walked more than 1,500 miles from Stradsett near Downham Market, to Santiago de Compostela, on the west coast of Spain, last summer to raise money for the people who give up their time to help others.

So far Mr Bagge has given £43,000 to 11 different organisations across the county who support the unpaid carers.

Four charities chosen are from west Norfolk and the money they are receiving will make such a difference.

Sue Gardner, 61, from Swaffham, is finance manager for the West Norfolk Carers Association who, thanks to Mr Bagge's donation, are able to take 25 young careers to the national Young Carers Festival in Hampshire for the first time.

Eastern Daily Press: Former High Sheriff of Norfolk, James Bagge, on his Walking4Norfolk 1,500-mile challenge across England, Framce and Spain, which is raising money for unpaid carers in Norfolk. Picture: SUPPLIED BY NORFOLK COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONFormer High Sheriff of Norfolk, James Bagge, on his Walking4Norfolk 1,500-mile challenge across England, Framce and Spain, which is raising money for unpaid carers in Norfolk. Picture: SUPPLIED BY NORFOLK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (Image: SUPPLIED BY NORFOLK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)

'I can't tell you what it will mean for the young carers,' she said. 'It will be a life changing experience, a good experience for them to make memories and we couldn't have considered it without the funding from the walk.'

Little Discoverers in King's Lynn is an organisation which provides early education for pre-school children with motor learning difficulties and delayed development and meet regularly at the Dutton Pavilion at Lynnsport and having their hire fee covered is a relief.

Team leader, Kat Brittain, 26, from Lynn, said: 'It was lovely to get the grant. Our sessions are a life-line for parents to get a handle on what life might be like for their child and the pavilion is a hub that's easily accessible to all, so it's important that we get to keep it.

'The funding also means we get to spend more time with the children rather than fundraising.'

Mr Bagge's fund raising efforts are far from over as he wants to raise a further £40,000 this year, with the Walsingham Abbey Snow Drop day and a non-religious 'pilgrimage' already in this calender for September.

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