A determined group of greeting card industry professionals completed a 20-mile charity walk during June’s heatwave, despite the official Cardgains event being cancelled due to the extreme weather
Calling themselves The Fellowship of the Walk, the five participants set off at 6am in an effort to complete the route through the Cheshire countryside before temperatures reach their forecast peak later in the day.
The team included:
- Adriana Lovesy – founder of Greetings Lab and The Card Queen
- David Falkner – Cardology
- Tony Cottrell – Words ‘n’ Wishes
- Jon Davies – managing director, Set in Hand
- Chaye-Lee McQuade – Doodle Press
- Warren Lomax – Max Publishing
The original Cardgains Charity Walk was cancelled following weather warnings and concerns around participant safety. While fully supportive of that decision, the five walkers decided to undertake the challenge independently, taking full responsibility for their participation.
Adriana Lovesy, founder of Greetings Lab and The Card Queen, said: ‘’It certainly wasn’t easy. The heat made every step harder, and nobody warned us quite how many hills there would be! But with plenty of water, determination, lots of laughs and constant encouragement from one another, we crossed the finish line together.’’
You can still sponsor the walkers via the Cardgains Charity Challenge JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/team/cardgainsteam2026-manymilesmanysmiles with all funds raised supporting the event’s chosen charitable causes.
“Every donation, no matter the size, is hugely appreciated,” added Adriana. “We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received so far, and if our slightly mad decision to attempt the walk inspires a few extra donations along the way, even better.”
