Thousands take a walk on the Wirral side

May 19 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Thousands take a walk on the Wirral side

THOUSANDS of walkers turned out – some better prepared than others – for the near-marathon trek around Wirral’s coastline.

Organised by the North Wirral Rotary Club and in its 22nd year, well over 5,000 people took part yesterday, with many completing the 15 miles from Seacombe to Thurstaston.

Last night, Jim Costello, of Rotary Club North Wirral, said it had been their biggest event yet, and they expected it to have raised in excess of £300,000 for local good causes.

He said: “People were at Seacombe from before 8am and when our people arrived to set up wanted to be registered and get walking.

“I’m sure the weather has helped, with plenty of sunshine but not too warm.

“We don’t have the actual figures for a while, but we have definitely beaten last year’s numbers in terms of turn-out.

“Our initial checks indicate that this year we have another record with well in excess of 5,000 walkers.

“We would estimate that the walk will raise more than £300,000 for local charities.”

Walkers of all ages took part, with stopping off points at five and 10 miles for those who could not manage the entire trek.

The 15-mile stroll from Seacombe Ferry, through New Brighton, Leasowe, Meols, Hoylake, West Kirby and Caldy, finishes at Thurstaston Country Park.

The event was also sponsored by local company Unilever for the 10th consecutive year. Mr Costello said: “The beauty of this event is that anyone can take part, no matter how old or fit. It’s not like running a half marathon, and it’s something the whole family can do.

“Plus, because people are raising money for things like new kits for teams, local good causes benefit from it, too.”

The first charity walk around Wirral’s coast was organised in 1986 with around 300 participants, but the coastal walk in its current form began the year after.

A North Wirral Rotary Club founder member, the late David Perrin, had first thought up the idea of a community project designed to enable local charities and individuals to raise money for the good cause of their choice.

Since then, hundreds of charities – from small, local groups to national and international organisations – have benefited from walkers being sponsored to take part in the event.

Unilever’s external affairs co-ordinator, Elaine Hazlehurst, said the company remained “extremely proud” of having sponsored the coastal walk for the last decade.

All Unilever employees who completed the walk also receive a £50 cheque for their chosen charity.

liammurphy