FANS of Yorkshire’s ‘Three Peaks’ are being asked to support a new campaign to raise money for the repair of a hugely popular footpath on the county’s highest mountain.

‘Pitch in for Whernside’ has been launched by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), as part of the British Mountaineering Council’s national ‘Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million’ fundraising campaign.

It is the second time the two organisations have worked together to support the Three Peaks, which are walked by tens of thousands of people a year – many of them raising money for charity.

Last year £17,042 was raised to pay for flagging on the Swine Tail path on Ingleborough. This time the aim is to raise £46,000 to re-build the severely eroded Bruntscar path on Whernside.

YDNPA Area Manager, Kate Hilditch, who is responsible for the maintenance of rights of way on the Three Peaks, said: “Bruntscar is the main descent off the summit of Whernside. The steepest section is particularly susceptible to damage and the path is becoming increasingly eroded, undermining the local ecology and creating an ever-widening scar on Yorkshire’s highest hillside.

“In its current condition the path is extremely difficult to use, causing people to walk off route, which in turn is causing additional erosion on the adjacent slope. The scale of the task is huge given Bruntscar’s remote location and steep conditions.

“People love Yorkshire’s peaks. But with more people than ever enjoying what they have to offer, the paths take a great deal of skill and money to maintain. The Mend our Mountains campaign is about inspiring walkers everywhere with a positive message about the need to look after the places we care about.”

“We are always grateful for the fantastic support we get from both businesses and residents, as well as visitors, for our work to keep the Three Peaks paths network in as good condition as possible. We hope that once again people will be happy to ‘Pitch in for Whernside’.”

The BMC’s ‘Mend Our Mountains’ campaign – which includes ‘Pitch in for Whernside’ – will at first be targeted at corporate and other potential major funding sources.

Members of the public can still donate now – via http://mendmountains.thebmc.co.uk/ – but next year will also be able to get involved in crowd-funding campaigns and other activities to help get Whernside into a condition befitting Yorkshire’s highest peak.