WaterAid is calling on walkers in Norfolk to take to the area’s spectacular coastal paths and raise vital funds for some of the world’s poorest people by taking part in Coast Along for WaterAid 2010.
The event aims to get at least one team of walkers on 187 coastal paths in selected regions throughout England, Scotland and Wales on Saturday 11 September 2010. Money raised will help WaterAid to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to those living in poverty in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.
With a rich and changing landscape, the North Norfolk coast path has some of the finest dunes, salt marshes and sands in Europe, popular with bird-watchers and nature lovers, transversing a number of national nature reserves. There are Interesting, picturesque villages and resorts at regular intervals. With sections between seven and 12 ½ miles, graded from easy to moderate, there’s a breathtaking coastal walk for everyone.
The Coast Along sections of the North Norfolk coast path are:
Holme-next-to-the-Sea to Brancaster 7 miles easy
Brancaster to Burnham Overy Staithe 9 miles easy
Burnham Overy Staithe to Stiffkey 10 miles moderate
Weybourne to Cromer 9 miles easy
Stiffkey to Weybourne 12 ½ miles moderate
Participants are welcome to do a part of any of these sections.
Each team member is asked to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship for their walk, with family teams or children raising whatever they can.
TV presenter Matt Baker, who is supporting Coast Along for WaterAid 2010, says:
“We take water for granted in the UK, but for many of the world’s poorest people finding water is a daily struggle, as I witnessed first hand in Tanzania, women and children walk miles each day just to meet this basic need. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to get walking for Coast Along for WaterAid.
“It will be an unforgettable day out walking along our spectacular coastline and you’ll be helping WaterAid change lives by providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education for people living in poverty.” The distance walked by most Coast Along participants will be similar to the daily routine for millions of women and children in Africa and Asia.
When communities don’t have access to clean water, the burden often falls to women and children who have to walk miles each day to collect water they know will make them ill.
For further information go to www.coastalongforwateraid.org or call 01225 526 149.