Community walks to help families

Chester — The annual Matthew Dudgeon Memorial Fun Run/Walk saw a good turnout on Saturday, with participants raising money to help local families who are caring for seriously ill children. According to organizers Rosanne Callahan and Gina Dudgeon, the fund has raised more than $100,000 in the past to cover a range of expenses — whether they be mortgages, utilities, food, medical equipment, a doctor’s visit not covered by insurance, the building of a handicapped ramp, travel expenses when families need to go outside of the area for treatment, and even sending a child to camp. Held every year along the Heritage Trail in Chester on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, the walk honors Matty Dudgeon of Chester, who died at age 3 of Leigh’s Disease. For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.themattyfund.org.