Over 120 walkers laced up their boots on Saturday (9th May) for the very first Walk the Churn fundraising event, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Cirencester charity The Churn Community Hub.
Participants walked 25km from Seven Springs near Cheltenham to the Charity’s Headquarters in Cirencester, following the route of the River Churn through some of the Cotswolds’ most stunning countryside.
Walkers included Roz Savage MP alongside Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Sarah Bourne, CEO of The Churn Community Hub plus families, supporters, and plenty of dogs.
The walk has already raised more than £8,000 for The Churn Community Hub, with donations still coming in. All funds raised will directly support the charity’s work helping people across Cirencester and surrounding villages who are experiencing crisis, loneliness, isolation or mental health challenges. Last year alone, the charity supported more than 1,700 people through a mix of group activities and one-to-one support.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of volunteers who helped marshal the route keeping spirits high throughout the day. Walkers also enjoyed a brilliant lunchtime refreshment stop at North Cerney Village Hall, where volunteers from the village hall and members of the Soroptimists provided much-needed food and drinks for hungry participants.
The charity would also like to thank Ellison Coaches for generously providing a free bus service for walkers. Thanks also go to the event sponsors Comstor, Jesse Smith’s, Hercules PLC and Roots and Seeds.
Sarah Bourne, CEO of The Churn Community Hub, said:
“We are absolutely delighted by the support for our very first Walk the Churn. It was fantastic to see so many people coming together in the sunshine to celebrate our 25th anniversary, enjoy the beautiful Cotswold countryside and raise vital funds for our work in the community.
We would like to thank everyone who walked, donated, volunteered, sponsored or supported the event in any way. The money raised will make a real difference to local people.”
The charity hopes Walk the Churn will become a regular community fundraising event in the years to come. To keep up to date about The Churn Community Hub’s work go to www.thechurn.org.uk