Lions roar in to aid blind

Lions will be stretching their legs for a 22-mile canalside prowl that passes through Rochdale.

Members of Rochdale, Littleborough, Heywood, and Middleton Lions Clubs will be joined by those from Oldham, West Tameside, Stretford and Todmorden for their sixth annual Canal Towpath Walk along the Rochdale Canal to Todmorden.

The event on Sunday 23 September, will raise money for Campaign Sightfirst2, a Lions International project set up to help people with sight problems. Experts say that the world’s blind population could double from 37 million to 74 million by 2020. One child goes goes blind every minute and 500,000 will have lost their sight by the end of the year.

The Lions say they won’t allow “nothing to be done” and true to their commitment to be “knights of the blind” have launched the worldwide campaign to tackle this tragedy.

The trek starts at the Piccadilly Basin of the canal on Dale Street, Manchester, between 8am and 10am when refreshments will be provided by the Stretford Lions Club.

People can walk a shorter stretch by starting or finishing at designated check points along the route at:

• Hopwood Arms, Slattocks (start time 9.30 am-1pm)
• Morrison’s Hollinwood/Chadderton (start time 9–11.30am)
• Wellfield, Oldham Road, Rochdale (start time 10am-1pm)
• Waterside Inn, Littleborough (start time 10.30am-4.30pm)
• Shop Lock, Todmorden

Members of the St John Ambulance Brigade will be on hand at all check points. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Well- behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are on leads.

Certificates will be awarded to all entrants with early entries preferred, costing £5 or £15 for a family of two adults and two children, but entries on the day will be accepted at £6.

For more details call 01706 813168.