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Walkers prepare for Rossendale Way charity challenge
WALKERS are getting ready to hit the hills for one of the North West's toughest charity events.
They are preparing for the annual "Rossendale Way in a Day" challenge to raise funds for mountain rescue.
The mammoth annual hike is organised by Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, whose volunteers need to raise 30,000 a year to continue providing their life-saving emergency service across the region, including parts of the Ribble Valley.
This year's trek, on Saturday, July 4th, is being hailed as an "all new" event – with new start points, improved catering and better facilities, including a bar. The circular route, which follows paths and open moorland on the fells around the boundary of Rossendale, has also been recalculated this year at 42 miles and 440 yards. It takes between 12 and 18 hours to complete the circuit, which offers fine views and takes in much of the area's industrial heritage.
Entrants cover more miles than competitors in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and climb one-and-a-half times the height of England's tallest mountain, Scafell Pike. But those who prefer a shorter route can complete the "Half Way in a Day" instead, a linear walk that covers the last 25 miles of the Rossendale Way.
The entry fee is 15 for adults. Those who take part are expected to be able to navigate the route using their own skills. They must carry appropriate equipment including maps, a compass, whistle, spare food and drink, plus suitable boots and waterproof clothes. Walkers and runners taking part in the full trek must be aged 16 or over. Under-18s must be accompanied by a named adult throughout the walk. The minimum age for the halfway walk is 12.
More than 200 experienced walkers and runners took part last year, raising 2,500. The team is hoping entrants will raise even more money this year by completing sponsorship forms supplied with the application form.
Tim Richardson, from the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, said: "The Rossendale Way in a Day is magnificent walk that goes through some fantastic countryside and great industrial heritage. It has attracted entrants from across the North West and raised much-needed funds for the team down the years.
"We hope to see many new faces taking part this year, as well as old friends who have done the trek before, and they will raise more funds through sponsorship than ever before so we can continue providing this vital emergency service for local people."
For more information and application forms visit www.rpmrt.org.uk, or contact Tim Richardson on 07970 844441 or tim.richardson@hotmail.co.uk.
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Weather for Clitheroe
Monday 28 May 2012
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