Bridgnorth walkers splash out to raise charity cash

Tuesday 31st May 2011, 11:29AM BST.

Children on the start line of the junior walk

Hundreds of hardy walkers who braved driving rain to join Shropshire’s biggest sponsored walk were rewarded with a sunset finish.

About 1,000 adults set off at 10am yesterday in miserable conditions to complete the 45th Bridgnorth Sponsored Walk.

Fundraisers from across the county and further afield brought the riverside town to a standstill at 10am as they pounded the footpaths along the Ludlow Road to the village of Cleobury North.

The walkers, dressed in everything from lion costumes to Sherlock Holmes outfits, then turned their boots towards the summit of the Brown Clee, the tallest peak in the West Midlands at 1,772ft.

After finding their way back down the drenched slopes they made their way back through the village of Ditton Priors before arriving back in Bridgnorth.

For most people the walk lasted about six hours.

Derek Moorhouse, chairman of the Bridgnorth Walk Committee, said: “The weather was very poor in the morning, I did feel very sorry for everyone taking part. But they stuck to the task and the day ended with sunshine.

“The last walker arrived back in town at 7pm where he was swiftly whisked off to the pub absolutely knackered. I was amazed so many people turned out in the weather, I thank them all so much.

“Congratulations need to be given to the 170 children aged between 10 and 14 who set off at 11am in the seven-mile junior event, which started and finished at Ditton Priors.

“Both junior and senior walkers raised about £120,000 for both local and national charities, a fantastic effort from everyone involved.”

The first ever walk was organised to raise funds for repairs to the St Leonard’s Church Tower in Bridgnorth. Since then the walk has raised about £1 million.

By Peter Finch

View more: Bridgnorth news, Bridgnorth Sponsored Walk news.