SIX members of the Cumbria Tourism team are set to complete a Virtual Coast to Coast walking challenge to raise money for the organisation’s 50th Anniversary Charitable Fund in the coming days.
The challenge has involved each team member replicating the same distance as the iconic 171-plus mile walking route between St Bees on the Cumbrian coast and Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire over a six-week period. That’s well over 1,000 miles between them.
The Virtual Coast to Coast Challenge has been organised by Cumbria Community Foundation to support community groups and charities across the county, with Cumbria Tourism’s 50th Anniversary Charitable Fund aiming to kickstart people's careers in tourism and gain support for specialist equipment, training, study materials, travel costs and more.
Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “It’s been fantastic for our team to take on this challenge on behalf of our 50th Anniversary Fund, which is supporting people to stay within our county and develop fulfilling careers in tourism and hospitality.
“Ultimately, the fund is all about empowering the next generation by breaking down some of the financial barriers which may prevent them getting started in the industry.
"Not only has our walking team been out and about throughout the county in their spare team, but the routes around our offices in Staveley have been ideal for building up our lunchtime mileage too.
"As the final deadline of July 1 approaches, we’re asking people to get behind the team and sponsor us, as we aim to get everyone over the line by next week.”
Cumbria Tourism’s communications manager, Heather Sewell, added: “This challenge has been a great incentive for me to get out and about, with all the physical and mental health benefits that brings.
“Not only am I putting my best foot forward to support new tourism talent, but it's also timely that the Virtual Coast to Coast coincides with the three-month Fells for All Festival, which is about unlocking Cumbria's outdoor spaces to anyone facing accessibility challenges.
“As someone who was born with a complex heart condition, the strenuous uphill nature of the 'real' Coast to Coast route wouldn't be suitable for me.
"Although this virtual version is still undoubtedly a big challenge, I'm aiming to complete as much of the 171-mile target as I can by July 1, but taking it at my own pace and exploring different flat(ish) parts of Cumbria along the way!
“So my walking adventures have ranged from an evening stroll in Threkeld to days out in Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape and short sections of the Hadrian's Wall National Trail around Birdoswald Roman Fort. I’m literally taking it step by step.”
For more information about the walking challenge or to sponsor the team visit: https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/pf/cumbria-tourism---50th-anniversary-challenge
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