LISKEARD Lions have pulled out all the stops to make this year's annual marathon walk, around Bodmin Moor, in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year, the best ever, and to help them along the way the Cornish Times has become the main sponsor.
The popular event, which over the years has raised thousands of pounds for Lions and local charities, takes place on Sunday, May 19, and the signal start at 9.30am will be given by Cornish Times General Manager, Mrs Jan Eagle.
The assembly point is at Siblyback Lake and all walkers must register at the Lions' control caravan between 9am and 10am.
The Cornish Times has also presented the Lions with a special perennial Marathon Walk Cup to be presented to the most successful fundraiser. There will also be other prizes and trophies and a presentation by the Cornish Times to the winners will take place at a date to be announced later.
A new initiative this year is the organisation of a sponsored obstacle course for youngsters aged 3-6 and 7-11 and they are set to start at 2pm, with sponsorship based on the number of completed circuits. An assortment of prizes will be up-for-grabs, including one for the winner of a 'Find the Answers' competition. The course has been designed with children's safety in mind.
For the adults two walks have been planned as usual, one for the more intrepid walkers, and the other for those who like to get back to the Lions hot dog van in time for lunch!
The longest route of about 22 miles takes in a circuit around Colliford Lake, and the other route, near to Dozmary Pool, is about 12 miles long. Because the routes pass close by to grazing moorland animals, participants are asked not to bring their dogs.
The walks take in some glorious scenery, and there is a traditional sense of camaraderie between everyone taking part.
They are after all, raising funds for someone in need or for their organisation.
Many youngsters participate in the walk to help their youth groups such as the scouts and guides, brownies and cubs, junior football clubs and many more, while others support charities such as Cancer Research UK, the RSPCA and a host of other worthwhile causes. In fact over 100 different charities can sometimes gain from the event, which is one of the biggest in the Liskeard Lions calendar.
Checkpoints along the routes will be arranged to provide refreshments, and St John Ambulance and Raynet will be present to help cover all safety aspects of such a large event. All participants are reminded that they should be suitably equipped for moorland walking, especially if wet.
From interest already shown the Lions anticipate more than a thousand walkers will be taking part. To obtain an entry form you can contact Hunt Associates in Barras Street, Liskeard, the Cornish Times at Tindle House, Great Place, Liskeard, or Geoffrey Harris Tyres, Station Road, Liskeard, who also have sponsor forms.
From sponsorship money raised by each walker, 70 per cent is for their own chosen charity and the remaining 30 per cent is for Lions' charities.
For further information contact Peter Andrew on 01579 344180 or Mike Conbeer on 01579 347545.
So make a date for Sunday, May 19, to get out in the fresh air on Bodmin Moor and help the Lions raise a lot of money for their own charities and for your chosen charity too.