THEY say an army marches on its stomach - but this army of loyal supporters turned that saying on its head when they walked miles in thunderstorms to raise money for an open door cafe.

A team from Worcester Wheels completed a sponsored 23-mile walk along Worcestershire's canals on behalf of the Open Door Café, raising more than £1,000 for the project.

Funds raised will help keep the cafe's ongoing events at Easter and Christmas as it continues to provide free meals and the opportunity to socialise for people in Warndon and beyond.

The project, founded by Cllr Jill Desayrah, continues to go from strength to strength and aims to bring people from all walks of life and background together.

Starting at the Warndon Hub community centre on Shap Drive, where the café is held, they walked through rain and thunderstorms along the Worcester and Birmingham and Droitwich canals.

Jason Clay came up with the idea. Growing up in the area he knows many of the people who visit and decided to support the Open Door Café which runs every Saturday and provides a free lunch to around 40 people each week.

Worcester News: MISSION: Left to right are Sunil Desayrah, Darren Cornes, Andy Dyer, Brian Cornes and Jason Clay who completed a 23 mile walk to support the Open Door Cafe in Warndon in Worcester MISSION: Left to right are Sunil Desayrah, Darren Cornes, Andy Dyer, Brian Cornes and Jason Clay who completed a 23 mile walk to support the Open Door Cafe in Warndon in Worcester (Image: Supplied)

Mr Clay recognised the importance of the café as a space for friends to meet as well as helping those in need and was keen to raise funds to support the endeavour.

The walkers raised £1,110 for the café with donations coming from a variety of sources including Droitwich FC and fellow workers at Worcester Wheels.

He said the walk took them around nine hours and the weather was 'inclement' but he added: "We got there. We were all a little bit tired at the end."

The walkers were: Jason Clay, Brian Cornes, Darren Fletcher, Sunil Desayrah and Andy Dyer. 

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The oldest contributor was Joan, aged 92, who gave up her coin jar to support the walk.

The money will be used to fund a summer barbeque and a children’s Christmas party with enough over to do something special at Easter as well.

Warndon and Elbury Park councillor Jill Desayrah, who cooks the food for the Open Door Cafe, expressed her gratitude and admiration for the walkers.

“It is so lovely to see a community coming together like this. These guys have given their all. Undeterred by the shocking weather, they battled their way through. The money they have raised will be put to good use and offer some special treats to our ever-growing Saturday community,” she said.  

The ODC is held at the Warndon Hub on Shap Drive, WR4 9NX, from noon until 1.30pm every Saturday until July 13. After a summer break it will be returning in September. Everyone is welcome.