These boots are made for walking…

You may or may not have heard, but the Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor James Michael Stowe, is lacing up his walking boots and gearing up to conquer a 23-mile Cross Barnsley Boundary Charity Walk to raise money for this year’s Mayoral Charities, Barnsley Blind and Partially Sighted and Barnsley Hospice.

The walk will take place on Saturday 22 July starting from Dunford Bridge and ending 23 miles later at Pastures Lodge and Hotel in Mexborough. The walk will follow the Trans Pennine Trail taking in Penistone, Worsbrough and Wombwell along the way.

The mayor will be joined by the Leader of Barnsley Council, Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE, the Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, Sarah Norman, Dan Jarvis MP and a number of councillors. Also dusting off their walking boots are a team from Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL); a team from Berneslai Homes, including Chief Executive, Amanda Garrard; representatives from Barnsley Hospice and a number of other council employees and keen hikers – bringing the group to around 30 participants in total.

As well as enjoying the scenic walk across our beautiful borough, the main reason for organising the walk is to raise money for the mayor’s Barnsley-based charities. These charities provide invaluable services that simply could not survive without support from fundraising and rely heavily on donations to carry out their invaluable work for local people. The mayor has set up a JustGiving page for people to donate or sponsor participants, so please show your support by making a donation and sharing any promotion you see to help spread the word and raise as much money to support these wonderful charities.

The mayor would also love to see residents and families supporting them along the way, so whilst out and about enjoying the trail, keep an eye out for the group and give them a cheer or grab yourself a selfie with the mayor. You can also keep track of the group’s progress by keeping an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages where we’ll be sharing pictures and updates along the way.

The mayor said: “I am so excited to be hosting my first charity walk and honoured that so many colleagues and friends are supporting me. 23 miles is no mean feat and will certainly be a challenge, but tired legs and the odd blister are a small price to pay for the funds we will hopefully raise for these vital charities.

“Both my charities do amazing work and rely heavily on volunteers and charitable donations. They encapsulate the spirit of Barnsley and I am humbled to be able to support and champion all they do by leading this walk.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is joining me on the walk and every single person who donates to my JustGiving page. Times are tough and I know everyone’s struggling with the cost of living, so every pound donated is beyond appreciated.

“We hope to see everyone get behind us and I look forward to seeing families out and about enjoying the trail during the walk – keep an eye out for us and give us a wave or a cheer.”

To make a donation, please visit the Just Giving page which will remain open until the end of August.