ONE woman’s pledge to dramatically improve mobility for wheelchair-bound lovers of the great outdoors looks set to receive a welcome cash boost. TV presenter Julia Bradbury, Wensleydale Creamery, Theakston Brewery, Yorkshire Trike Tours and the Jorvik Viking Centre are just some of those who have agreed to help make Debbie North’s dream come true by donating a bumper crop of prizes for a special fundraiser at Country Harvest, Ingleton, on Saturday, June 8.

In February 2011, Debbie, a former primary school head teacher, had to resign from her post.

“Because of a spinal injury I had very poor mobility and spent a lot of time in a wheelchair,” said Debbie, who hails from Yorkshire but now lives in Lincolnshire.

“I was able to continue as a head teacher with the help of a motorised wheelchair, but unfortunately after two years the pain and tiredness started to take its toll.”

After serious talks with her family and medical professionals, Debbie was advised to resign.

Before her illness, both she and her husband had been keen hill walkers.

“We even got married in our walking boots,” quipped Debbie. “But now I have to sit at the bottom of the peaks. It saddens me to see other walkers putting on their boots and heading for the hills.”

After talks with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and National Trust, Debbie set herself the task of raising £7,000 to buy a Tramper, a British-made cross-country all-weather mobility buggy, which will be available for hire by disabled ramblers from Malham Tarn. The initial route will take users around the tarn but the plan is to develop some ‘adventurous’ routes for more intrepid explorers.

When Debbie tweeted that she needed a venue for fundraising, Country Harvest stepped in. “The shop has been fantastic in helping get things organised for the charity day,” said Debbie, who will be selling instant tombola prizes and raffle tickets.

There will also be a chance to see the award-winning Tramper in action, and Yorkshire Trike Tours