CHAMPAGNE, high heels and a singalong to (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles by the Proclaimers was a fitting way to end a month-long fundraising walk.

A group of north Essex women popped open the bubbly on Wednesday to celebrate walking 7.5million steps throughout March - which is the equivalent distance of hiking from England to Canada.

The group was made up of five teams, with each team aiming to complete a million steps to raise funds for Colchester Engagement and Next Steps (CENS), formerly known as Colchester Emergency Night Shelter.

The women taking part included Emily Seddon, from Frinton; Tara Crew, from Alresford; Alison Lovesee, Sarah Holly Hoy, Katie Copeland, Alex O’Dell and Jacx Patterson, who are from Wivenhoe; Jo Mitchell, from Tendring; and Val Shaikley, who lives in West Bergholt.

Emily, 52, who came up with the idea for the fundraiser, said: “We wanted to raise the profile of CENS and highlight the fact they are in desperate need of funding.

“Everyone has been able to walk as part of their exercise routine throughout the pandemic, so we felt this would be a good way to get fit and raise money.”

Emily and Alison, 48, are trustees for the charity and wanted to raise money for the shelter as it was forced to close during the pandemic as the accommodation was not Covid-compliant.

It did receive a National Lottery Grant to carry out a refurbishment to meet the guidelines for Covid-safe accommodation, but it urgently needs more funding in order to reopen in May.

The fundraisers took their final walk together from Wivenhoe to the shelter, in Alexandra Road, Colchester, before trekking back to Wivenhoe for a celebration and awards ceremony.

For their final steps, the women donned high heels and paid homage to the Proclaimers by wearing thick-rimmed glasses and singing their iconic single (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles.

The group has raised almost £4,500 for CENS.