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Adrian Walker is calling on walkers from across the county to take part in the Coast to Coast Walk in aid of LOROS, the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice.  The Albert Wainwright route was created to cross the country from St Bees in the Lake District through to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire.  Wainwright believed in getting to high land to get the best views and therefore the route is somewhat hilly!  The 192 mile route completed over 13 days is challenging, and takes you through some of the best countryside in Britain, including the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the remote North Yorkshire moors.

There have now been several expeditions where walkers have fundraised for LOROS raising over £100,000 in all.  The 2009 team of nine walkers managed to raise over £19,000 towards the care of terminally-ill patients in Leicestershire and Rutland.

The 2010 walk will start on Wednesday 22nd September and finish on Wednesday 6th October 2010 and a new team of up to ten people is being sought.. 

LOROS Senior Fundraiser, Adrian Walker, who organises the training walks and completed the Wainwright Walk on five occasions said, “The Coast to Coast Walk is a great challenge and not beyond most people. It gives participants the opportunity to get fit, learn about map and compass skills, learn first aid/survival tips, raise funds for a great local charity, LOROS, and achieve immense satisfaction in completed one of the best long distance walks available in the UK.  This really is a “must do” event in your lifetime.”

Whilst all walkers take part at their own risk (they are strongly advised to take out insurance cover), LOROS will help get a team together, provide maps and advice on the route, help with training including survival first aid and map reading.  LOROS will provide a minibus as back-up and will look for a volunteer to drive, provided at least ten walkers will be taking part.

At regular meetings and training sessions the group will get to know their travelling companions and elect daily walk leaders. On most weekends there will be walks organised and the group are also likely to complete the Leicestershire Round in 10-mile sections.

The accommodation will be a combination of Youth Hostels (these really are excellent value and provide good food) and Bed and Breakfast establishments. The total costing, including food, accommodation, transport fuel etc will be approximately £600 per person.

On average walkers are travelling 15 miles a day (the shortest day is 9 miles and the longest 21 miles), with no rest days for 13 days.

It is important that everyone taking part is medically fit and that they train to be physically fit to complete the walk. It is not beyond most people’s reach; many people in their 70’s have completed the walk and in 2005 Colin Herridge, who had lost his sight, completed the walk with the help of his regular walking companions!

As each person pays their own costs, there is no set amount that walkers are asked to pledge for participating.  It is hoped, however, that £1,000 is raised for LOROS.  In the past walks the average has been well over£1,500 per person.

This really is a great opportunity to raise much needed funds for LOROS and complete a fantastic challenge.

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the 2010 walk, should contact Adrian Walker, on 0116 2318431 or e-mail adrianwalker@loros.co.uk.