The weather was kind to make the 11th Charity Walk organised by the Rotary club of Church and Oswaldtwistle a grand day out for over 550 walkers.

The 10k route started as usual at at Junction 7 Business Park then onto the canal at Clayton-le-Moors, then onto the old railway track at Rishton, skirting Mercer Park in Great Harwood, then onto the fields before returning to the start position. The shorter 5k walk missed out the canal but otherwise was the same circular route.

Mayor Marlene Haworth and Mayoress Dorothy Berry were present to send all the walkers on their way. Most of the walkers had been sponsored and one of the groups under the name of The Burnley Clarets Cheerleaders saw 60 members raise over £12,000, which will help finance their proposed visit to Slovenia to compete in the European Cheerleaders competitions.

A total of £41,000 of sponsorship was raised, which is one of the highest figures produced since the inception of the Charity Walk which first started in 2005.

All of this sponsorship goes directly to the Charity or Good Cause nominated by the sponsored walker.

To welcome the walkers back on completion of their walk, there was plenty of entertainment with the colourful Blojangles jazz band providing a lively atmosphere and a large group of EL Cheer leaders giving their displays.

Walk organiser Ron Pickup said: “I am very pleased with what has been a most successful event with good weather and seeing all the walkers enjoy themselves and raise the magnificent sum of £41,000 for many good causes. I wish to thank the Mayor and Mayoress for their presence. All club members took on their roles in one form or the other and with members from six local Rotary clubs this made it a special Rotary project.”

Rotarians from Accrington, Great Harwood, Rishton, Blackburn, Darwen, and Pendle View acted as stewards to make this event a joint project, helping to promote the Rotary image.

The Rotary club wishes to thank their main sponsor ‘Howard Rigg Properties’ with additional help from ‘Clayton Park Bakery’. Their involvement is very much appreciated.