Preston’s Walk in the Dark event goes virtual for 2020

Dr Srinivasan and his wife are big supporters of the event

For the first time in more than a decade Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s Walk in the Dark will become a virtual event.

The 11-mile trek along the A6 is one of the Foundation’s major annual fundraising activities, but has had to be adapted this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to patients throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre at Royal Preston Hospital, and at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.

With ongoing projects that need continuous funding and requests for help to fund new initiatives piling up, the charity is asking the public to help it by joining in a revised version of the walk, which is being sponsored by construction company Eric Wright Group.

Walk-in-the-Dark-2020 — Walk in the Dark will become a virtual event for 2020

The charity’s walk co-ordinator Rebecca Arestidou said: “In a normal year, we have several hundred walkers taking part in Walk in the Dark, helping us to raise around £50,000.

“With the safety of our supporters being the most important thing, we didn’t feel we could go ahead with this year’s walk but with our income already 65% down on where it should be, we’re appealing to those who intended to take part and others besides to still walk for us but in their own bubbles to their own routes.”

Those wanting to take part can sign up on the Walk in the Dark Goes Virtual website. Registration is £10 with children under 12 able to sign up for free. All those signing up will receive a walker pack, walk number and a medal.

Walkers have from Saturday 15 August to Saturday 12 September to complete their walk either during daylight or in the dark.

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The walk can be done to any distance in either one go or in stages. Depending on the walk’s length, walkers might want to organise some en route support such as being met by family or friends with refreshments or even accompanied by a cycling partner able to carry supplies.

Dr Srinivasan, who in 2018 walked part of the Great Wall of China with Krishna to raise funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We are very fortunate in that we have some beautiful countryside on our doorstep.

“Sometimes, to get out and enjoy it, we just need a little motivation and I hope supporting Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s Walk in the Dark Goes Virtual is all the encouragement that’s needed.”

Will you be taking part in Walk in the Dark? Tell us more in the comments below.