Hundreds step out for Macmillan Cancer Support
Last updated 09:29, Monday, 17 November 2008
Hundreds of people tested out the new A595 Parton to Lillyhall bypass yesterday in a charity walk for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Music from Stainburn School’s Steel Band got the walkers into the mood and Rugby League players from Workington and Whitehaven put them through their paces with a welcome warm up.
Many of the walkers turned out in fancy dress to see the road before it officially opens in December.
Around 300 people registered to take part before the event, and organisers estimate that a total of over 400 embarked on the five mile walk on the day.
And it was a real family event, with everyone from babies in prams to pensioners turning out for charity.
Barbara Sharpe, Macmillan’s fundraising manager for Cumbria and Lancashire, said: “It’s too early to say how much we’ve raised, but we’re hoping to raise around £500.
“It was a fantastic day, the weather was on our side and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
“It was wonderful that the Highways Agency and Morrison Construction allowed us to hold the event.
“They have shown us nothing but tremendous support.”
And it wasn’t just walkers trying out the new bypass.
A team from West Coast Thermal decided to take on a more strenuous challenge - pulling a works transit van along the five mile route.
Workington Transport Heritage Trust provided a vintage bus from the car park at Lakes College to the start line.
Local mayors and MPs also took part.
Highways Agency project manager Stephen Greenhalgh said: “We’re really pleased with how the work on the road is progressing, and we expect to open the road to traffic in December.”
In 2002 Macmillan held a similar walk along the Stainburn/Clifton by-pass when more than 1,000 local people took part, raising over £16,000.
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