Striding out to celebrate volunteers!

Volunteers from six local charities including St Catherine’s Hospice will be striding out together to mark a national awareness week which celebrates the value and importance of volunteering.

The Lancashire Dotcom Walking Group has organised the event on in partnership with St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall, Cuerden Valley Park Trust, Sue Ryder at Cuerden Hall in Bamber Bridge, the Brothers of Charity at Lisieux Hall, Whittle-le-Woods, Mind Mental Health Lancashire and Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust. It takes place on Tuesday June 2 during National Volunteers’ Week.

The idea is to bring volunteers together to celebrate the vital role they play in the local community, and enjoy a walk which passes through the area where each of the charities is based.

A health walk run each week by Cuerden Valley Park volunteer Michael Swarbrick will also join in the event, which finishes on The Mound outside Buckshaw Village.

Bob Clare, who runs Lancashire Dotcom Walkers and volunteers with the Brothers of Charity advocacy group Voice for All, said: “This will be our third annual Volunteers Walk during National Volunteers Week and we’re sure it’s going to be our biggest and best yet.

“Several of our members give their time to volunteer with various local charities, and we discovered that many of them were clustered together in the area around Cuerden Valley Park – it made sense to plan a walk which wound its way through this picturesque area.

“This year the Wildlife Trust will be organising two activities during the walk which highlight how volunteers can help with conservation work.”

Liz Beaver, volunteer co-ordinator for the Brothers of Charity, added: “Our first walk was held in 2013 and we are delighted with the way the walk has evolved to include a wider group of volunteers in partnership, as befits the spirit of volunteering.”

Minaxi Panchal, Volunteer Coordinator at St Catherine’s Hospice, said the walk was a wonderful way to recognise the vital role volunteers play in the local community.

She said: “It’s a great way to be part of the national awareness week – joining with others around the country in acknowledging and celebrating what volunteers do for charities like St Catherine’s on a daily basis.

“We have more than 600 people who give their time to support the hospice and The Mill, our new cafe and community hub, in many varied ways. We simply couldn’t survive without their incredible support.”

The walk starts at 10.30am from Cuerden Valley Park Visitors Centre at the Barn, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge PR5 6YB.

For further details contact Walk organiser Bob Clare on 07733 227643.

If you are interested in volunteering with St Catherine’s Hospice email volunteerdepartment@stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 629171.

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