THE Keswick to Barrow Walk is set to take place at the end of the month and there has been a rallying call for more people to donate and show their support for the two teams competing this year.

This year Covid-19 restrictions mean the event has gone back to its 1967 roots of just two teams, one from Barrow shipyard, the other from the Royal Navy, competing for the Resolution Cup.

This year’s combatants are determined to put on a good show on September 26 and raise as much as possible for St Mary's Hospice, St John's Hospice, CancerCare North Lancashire, and South Cumbria and Bay Hospitals Charities

Many charities are dependent on donations and big fundraisers like this to be able to do what they do.

Clare Paling, St Mary’s Area Fundraiser, said: “St Mary’s Hospice has been fortunate enough to have hundreds of enthusiastic and committed walkers and runners take part in the Keswick and Coniston to Barrow walks year upon year, and we have received hundreds of thousands of pounds from their efforts and from the brilliant Keswick to Barrow Committee.

"We love to create a sea of blue t-shirts along the length of the course, and our water stations are renowned for their energy and generosity – it’s a much loved feature of our events’ calendar.

"We rely on fundraising activities and donations for as much as 83 per cent of the £3.5M we need each year to provide invaluable support to patients and their loved ones, covering the length of the K2B route and beyond.

"The impact of Covid on income generation means that support from sources such as this year’s Challenge Cup fund, for us and other local good causes, is even more essential than ever.

"We look forward to the K2B and C2B coming back even bigger and better than ever, but in the meantime we hope our wonderful community will get behind the committee and teams’ best efforts under unprecedented and difficult circumstances.”

So far the event has raised more than £1500, which is still a long way from their target if £75,000. Show your support by donating at https://keswick2barrow.co.uk/donate2020

Or texting K2B20 to 70191 to donate £10.

Or texting K2B20 to 70970 to donate £5.