THE Witham’s café manager swapped the counter for the gym last week in a bid to boost the centre’s fundraising appeal.
Suzanne Wallace ran and cycled a total of 15.3 kilometres at Teesdale Leisure Centre in one hour and 15 minutes.
She said: “It was hard and it was a challenge but it went okay. I hadn’t been to the gym for months and months until the last few weeks when I’ve been a few times.”
Having set a fundraising target of £500, the 49-year-old has already beaten that with donations still rolling in.
Ms Wallace, who lives in Winston, joined the team at the arts centre in November last year and took over the running of The Dispensary Café Bar in April.
She said: “I just felt that I personally needed to do something to hopefully raise the profile of the centre. I want to help get more people into The Witham.
“Although I come to work here, it does not feel like work. I love it here. The staff are fantastic and the building is amazing. I don’t think there is anywhere else like it in the town.
“Through all of this everyone is pulling together. It has made everyone sit up and think. We want it to appeal to more people.”
Ms Wallace also organised a team of bag packers at Morrisons which raised a further £557.
Ms Wallace added: “I would like to say a massive thank you. With everyone’s support, hopefully The Witham will remain an asset in Barnard Castle and thrive. It is looking very promising.”
