Enjoy a sponsored walk along the canal

Rochdale Canal

Rochdale residents can take part in a sponsored 'Water Walk' along the Littleborough section of the Rochdale Canal this weekend.

Charities Leonard Cheshire Disability and The Waterways Trust are hosting the event on Sunday (13 September).

The walk will give people a chance to experience the history of the canal and the wildlife that inhabit it.

The 5.5 mile walk starts at 10.30am in the grounds of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Honresfeld home, with walkers asked to register at 10am.

The route goes from the home down Halifax Road towards Littleborough and then turns left onto Canal Street and follows Hollingworth Road down to Hollingworth Lake. Walkers will then go around the lake taking in the views, before stopping off for some refreshments at the visitor centre or café halfway round before carrying on to The Beach pub.

From the Beach walkers will make their way down Smithybridge Road to the old Smithybridge Railway Station. The route then turns right and takes in a lovely section of the Rochdale Canal before rejoining Halifax Road and finishing at the Start/Finish point at Honresfeld.

Walkers are asked to wear red so that passersby will see everyone walking together for a common purpose, raising money for Leonard Cheshire Disability and the Waterways Trust.

The minimum sponsorship fee is £7.50 per person or £20 for a family of four.

Jeanette Bates of Leonard Cheshire Disability said: "The Water Walks will give people an opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the combination of water, wildlife and greenery as they join their fellow walkers.

"We want as many people as possible to sign up to make it an unforgettable day."

Joanne Darlington, director of The Waterways Trust, said: "We are delighted to have joined with Leonard Cheshire Disability in this the 10th anniversary year of The Waterways Trust.

"The walks have the dual purpose of raising awareness of what our wonderful and historic waterways have to offer people of all abilities to draw them to walk along the many miles of accessible paths along the banks of the canals.

"The Water Walks will also take place to raise much needed money towards the protection of the wildlife that inhabits them. We hope to raise in excess of £10,000 for both charities in this our first year and to increase that pot in years to come as the event becomes more established."

For more information or to sign up to the Water Walks go to www.LCDisability.org/waterwalks or telephone: 0845 055 2195.