Walkers wanted for special Three Peaks event

This summer, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) is teaming up with a national charity to stage a fund-raising walking event centred on the iconic Three Peaks, called a Day in the Dales.

The Authority’s Three Peaks Project Team is working with Heart Research UK to stage some sponsored walks on June 18 with all money raised being split between the charity and the vital work of caring for the footpath network around  Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The walks are:

• A Three Peaks Challenge Walk – 25 miles over the summits of the Three Peaks
• A Valleys Walk – 15 miles up to the iconic Ribblehead and back along the flanks of Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough
• A Family Nature Discovery Walk – a five km walk along the banks to the river and through Horton village with activities for children along the way.

Yorkshire-based Heart Research UK is charging a modest registration fee that will cover the cost of organising checkpoints and water stations run by experienced staff and volunteers on both the Valleys and Three Peaks routes. 

But the names of anyone signing up between 9am on Friday (April 29) and 9am next Tuesday (May 3) will be entered into a draw with the chance to win free registration and a personalised Three Peaks fleece with their name on it. There will also be three runners-up prizes of Three Peaks goody bags.

the YDNPA’s Three Peaks Project Manager, Steve Hastie, said: “This will be a fantastic day out that will raise much-needed cash for two very worthy causes.

“The footpath network needs a massive amount of maintenance because it copes with more than 100,000 visitors a year. It’s a huge and expensive job to keep it in a good enough condition to be used all year round.

“As well as knowing they are helping us, everyone taking part will be helping research into heart disease and giving people the chance to live healthier, happier and longer lives.

“We have organised routes to suit everyone from experienced, long-distance walkers to families wanting an easy, short stroll. And the day will all be set against the breath-taking scenery of the Three Peaks.

“The hub for the day will be the playing field in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. In addition to the walks, there will be sporting events, stalls and craft activities as well as plenty for the youngsters to do. And everyone will have the chance to congratulate the walkers as they return.”

The event, the 20^th annual Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge run by Heart Research UK, is being supported by home shopping and online clothing brand Damart. 

Adrian Purtell, Bradford Bulls Rugby League star who suffered a heart attack after Bradford’s “Magic Weekend” game against Leeds in 2012, has since become an ambassador for the charity to help raise awareness of heart disease and generate funds for the prevention, treatment and cure of the illness.

“This is a great challenge in a spectacular part of the Yorkshire countryside and something that groups of friends and family could do together,” he said.

“You’ll not only be raising money to help Heart Research UK and the excellent work it does, but you’ll be helping your own hearts through activity and exercise, and raising cash to look after the footpaths too.”

More information about the events and entry forms are available at http://heartresearch.org.uk/3peaks or by phoning 0113 234 7474 or [email protected] to request an information pack.