Natural England

Organisations join forces to make the South Pennine Challenge a heart-warming success

Natural England is encouraging people to rise to the South Pennine Challenge, an annual charity walking event taking place on 12 and 13 May.

The South Pennine Challenge comprises of three long walks (50 miles, 25 miles and 25 miles) organised by the Community Foundation for Calderdale, who raise money and distribute grants to improve the quality of life for people in Calderdale. The challenge is open to the public and is split into three walks, all starting from Mytholmroyd Community Centre.

Dr William Bird, Natural England’s health adviser said: ‘Increasing evidence strongly suggests that both physical and mental health are significantly improved through contact with nature, yet despite huge challenges facing the NHS to treat rising levels of mental illness and obesity, people are having less contact with nature than at any other time in the past. This has to change’! Studies have also shown that accessibility to nearby attractive public green space and footpaths are more likely to increase levels of walking.

If you need more help to get active, the Walking the way to Health Initiative is led by Natural England and the British Heart Foundation and was set up in 2000. It aims to get more people walking, by organising walks and providing a safe and friendly opportunity for people to get exercise. Walks take place locally and are spread throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. For further information and to find a walk near you go to www.whi.org.uk

The British Heart Foundation are also a key supporter of the South Pennine Challenge. Sue Green of the British Heart Foundation said: ‘We are delighted to be able to support such a well organised event. The organisers have worked so hard to come up with a series of challenging routes that will suit a wide range of abilities. Walking is one of the easiest ways that people can get exercise and events like this play an important part in encouraging people to get active and improve their health and wellbeing.’

Steve Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation for Calderdale said: ‘Last years event was a huge success, so much so that we have added a new route for those who want a challenge, but are not ready to do the full 50 miles. One of the main attractions of the event is the fantastic countryside that the routes pass through, we are lucky to have such an area right on our doorstep. With scenery like this along the route its no wonder people are so keen to take part’

The event is still open for entries, please visit the South Pennine Challenge web site: http://www.southpenninechallenge.co.uk

Notes for Editors

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. We increase opportunities to make the natural environment an enriching part of people’s everyday lives, and improve its long term security by contributing to the sustainable management of our natural resources.

Land surrounding the routes has benefited from agri-environment grants allowing over 11,000 meters of walling to be restored, nearly 2000 trees to be preserved and the restoration of over 2,500 hectares of internationally important heather moorland. Much of the area is Open Access and additional paths have also been provided in other areas using stewardship funding.

For more information on local walking groups visit www.whi.org.uk or contact Julie Rhodes at Natural England on 0113 2469222.

The walks start at Mytholmroyd Community Centre. The Maxi Challenge is sponsored by Marshalls, an aggregates company, and covers a 50 mile route over 24 hours. The Midi Challenge is sponsored by the Halifax bank and covers a 25 mile route. The Mini Challenge covers a 12 mile route and is sponsored by Southdale Homes.

For further information please contact Howard Botting on 01609 767439.