Members of Syke Walk and Talk Group to tackle Pennine Way

L-R: Barry Hobson, Margaret Kershaw and Mike Rowley

Three members of the Syke Walk and Talk Group- Barry Hobson, Margaret Kershaw and Mike Rowley, are taking on the 267 mile Pennine Way walk in September, and aiming to raise just over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The Pennine Way National Trail is a 268-mile (429 Km) walking route from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. It crosses some of the finest hilly, and sometimes remote, landscapes in England, from the Peak District, through the Yorkshire Dales, across the North Pennines and over Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland to the Cheviots.

It was the very first National Trail, having opened on 24thApril 1965, and remains one of the most famous.

Barry, Margaret and Mike all wanted to take on the rugged National Trail route ‘before it’s too late to try’. They are all members of local walking groups- part of the ‘Walking for Health’ initiative - and meet two or three times each week, walking around six miles at a time. The Walking for Health initiative encourages people from all backgrounds, ages and abilities to socialise and exercise.

The Syke group meets on the last Friday of every month for a 12-mile walk.

The trio have been putting in the miles and maintaining their fitness ahead of the task, which they aim to complete between September 2 and 18, and explained their reasons for undertaking the challenge.

Castleton-resident Barry visited Edale 50 years ago, on a Sunday afternoon, not long after he first met his late wife Elaine. They went to Edale and crossed the little wooden bridge to walk a short distance up the Grindsbrook Valley.

He said “We talked about walking the Pennine Way one day, but sadly we never did. We did enjoy walking the wonderful moors around Rochdale. For me, this walk is a tribute to Elaine, who sadly lost the fight against cancer 23 years ago.

“I would like to raise as much sponsorship as I can to help research into the defeat of this terrible disease.”

Margaret explained: “I lost a cousin several years ago with cancer, and two of my friends have also lost their lives to cancer in the last 12 months. I feel that they all have been cheated out of life and their families left devastated.

Mike commented: “Walking is a favourite pastime of mine and many years ago, during our courtship, my wife and I enjoyed long walks, which always seemed to include stretches of the Pennine Way. Unfortunately, those stretches didn't quite add up to the complete walk so I didn't qualify for a badge. I am therefore delighted to be joining Margaret and Barry in this challenge as I thought the chance had passed me by- and my wife has needle and thread ready to sew on that elusive badge.

“My encouragement to complete the walk is the fundraising effort to support Cancer Research UK. I'll be doing it in memory of my wonderful parents and mother-in-law and my lifelong friend, Tom Lockett, who recently passed away. I am grateful to cancer charities for the support they gave and hope we can raise much needed funds to help Cancer Research UK defeat this disease.”

He added: “Thank you to all our sponsors, we will be thinking of your generosity every step of the way.”

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barry-hobson1