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Huge canal-side charity walk for The Christie will pass local landmarks in Greater Manchester

It's to raise money for The Christie.

Daisy Jackson - 8th February 2023

Mancs are being invited to head out on a huge organised walk along The Bridgewater Canal in the name of charity.

The beautiful route will pass some of Greater Manchester’s most recognisable landmarks, including Manchester United’s home ground at Old Trafford.

It’s all to raise money for The Christie and its world-class cancer centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The 5km walk will start at Trafford Palazzo and weave its way along the Bridgewater Canal to Castlefield, with entertainment at the start and music, street food and drinks at the end.

The new challenge is the biggest-ever charity event in the waterway’s 260-year history.

Peel L&P, who own and operate the Bridgewater Canal, have organised the charity walk and hope to get more than 500 people taking part on Sunday 4 June, raising tens of thousands of pounds for The Christie charity.

All abilities and paces will be welcome to walk along the route, which has plenty of space and accessible walkways.

All money raised through The Bridgewater Way Walk will support The Christie’s pioneering bloods closer to home service.

The service allows patients to book their own appointments online at a time and location that suits them, with 11 convenient locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. It cuts down on travel times which can be draining for patients undergoing treatment.

The fundraising walk will take place along the picturesque and historic Bridgewater Canal, the 39-mile waterway that stretches between Runcorn and Leigh.

The canal was constructed more than 250 years ago by the Duke of Bridgewater to transport coal from his mine at Worsley in Greater Manchester efficiently and cheaply to the rapidly expanding towns and cities nearby.

Notable sites along the walk will include Old Trafford football stadium, Lancashire County Cricket Club’s ground, The Trafford Centre and the Embassy Village site which will be the UK’s largest purpose-built village for rough sleepers, being delivered by Peel L&P and partners.

Anyone who signs up will receive fundraising tips, a sponsorship pack, and a free t-shirt to celebrate participating in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie, as well as a medal once walkers have completed the event.

To help with The Christie charity’s goal to support its bloods closer to home service, the organisers would like to ask everyone who takes part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie to aim to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50.

Peter Parkinson, director Bridgewater Canal at Peel L&P said: “We are really looking forward to delivering this event in aid of The Christie charity. The Bridgewater Canal is a fantastic location with a fascinating history and is regularly enjoyed by many individuals and communities.

“This will be the biggest charity event to ever take place in The Bridgewater Canal’s history and we are excited to welcome so many new visitors to enjoy our accessible space which encourages wellness, connecting with nature and for walkers to see the iconic Manchester skyline from the canal side.”

Anna McIntosh, major relationships development manager at The Christie charity, said: “We are extremely excited that Peel L&P is creating this event to support The Christie and its Bloods Closer to Home service.

“This type of support means a huge amount to The Christie and funds raised from this event will directly improve services and helps us to support patients by making treatments more accessible in the surrounding area for many years to come.”

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Kate Holland, head of charity and community initiatives for The Peel Group said: “We are proud supporters of The Christie charity and the pioneering research and support it provides to those affected by cancer. We wanted to create an event utilising one of Peel L&P’s most historic assets, whilst promoting the health benefits of walking and exercising as well as raising much needed funds for such an important charity to our region.

“We hope that lots of families, friends, teams and individuals feel encouraged to take part in this inclusive event, going at their own pace and enjoying the surroundings of the scenic Bridgewater Canal whilst raising much-needed funds for The Christie to support its services.”

You can sign up now to take part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie on Sunday 4 June by visiting the website here: bridgewaterwaywalk.co.uk.

Sign up prices are £15 per adult, £8 per child under 16, £38 for a family (two adults, two children) and £65 for a team of five adults.

Featured image: Supplied