Dutton Gregory partners raise money for charity with 19-mile walk

Head of property Paul Sams and head of family law Jonathan Whettingsteel tackled the 19-mile walk from Fareham to Romsey on Saturday, July 1 - with Mr Whettingsteel completing the walk dressed as comic book character Catwoman.

The two men raised money for local charities the Rainbow Centre and Fareham and the Romsey Opportunity Group.

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The walk, which attracted several local onlookers due to the lawyers’ costumes, was the result of a bet that took place more than 10 months ago. Paul – a Newcastle United fan – bet that HIS club would finish above Southampton in the Premier League.

As a forfeit, he had chosen the Catwoman outfit for his colleague Jonathan - a local supporter of Southampton Football Club - while he wore a Newcastle shirt.

Due to a bet, Johnathon Whettingsteel had to complete the walk dressed as DC comicbook character Catwoman (Image: Dutton Gregory)Many of the partners and fellow solicitors at Dutton Gregory joined for the walk to show their support, as well as providing refreshments along the route. The duo set off at 9.20am and finished almost seven hours later at 4.07pm, racking up a grand total of almost 44,000 steps each.

Paul said: “What started as a throwaway joke style bet between Jonathan and I led to something far more important, bringing people together to raise funds for two organisations who really make a difference to people’s lives.

“I am lucky to work with great people here at Dutton Gregory who spend time outside of their day job to help others. The collective support we give to help benefit others is awesome.”

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Jonathan added: “Thank you to everyone who has donated, those who volunteer their time to help these two local charities, and all who came out on the day to either support, or join us on the walk. Thanks also to all my colleagues, friends and family for the messages and making this happen…. Or making it so that we couldn’t change our minds!

L-R: Tony Peters, Deborah Cooper (Dutton Gregory), Gina Peters (Dutton Gregory), Paul Sams (Dutton Gregory), Jon Whettingsteel (Dutton Gregory), David Atton (Dutton Gregory) (Image: Dutton Gregory)“It was a struggle towards the end, but we were pushed on by everyone’s encouragement and the desire to raise as much money as possible for two vital causes that mean so much to Paul and myself.”

For more information about the walk, visit givewheel.com/fundraising/1040/paul-and-jonathans-dutton-gregory-challenge/#totalpie.