Walk the grand walk for charity

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Microloan Foundation launches appeal to recruit 1,000 walkers

The MicroLoan Foundation is launching an appeal to recruit one thousand walkers

to take part in its inaugural Grand Walk on Sunday 24 September 2006 - a day of discovery alongside one of London’s best-kept secrets, the Grand Union Canal.

 

For the serious athlete, the charity’s patron Gabby Logan will start a 50 kilometre  route at Brentford Lock at 9.a.m.  But for those who prefer a gentler Sunday stroll, there will be an alternative 15 kilometre option which starts at Paddington Basin.

Both walks will end at Limehouse; good public transport is available at both ends and marshals will be on hand to guide participants at key points along the way. Both walks are well supplied with hotels, restaurants and pubs for those in need of rest or refreshment en route.

 

The MicroLoan Foundation’s founder and Managing Trustee Peter Ryan had the idea for the event while walking the 50 kilometre route last year. He says “I was struck by how few people know about this unique waterway, which has a long and distinguished history and offers much of interest and charm. I realised that an organised walk would make a marvellous day out for people, and in organising it, the charity hopes to raise awareness and much needed funds for its work with desperately poor communities in Malawi, where walking is often the only way to get around.”

 

The MicroLoan Foundation makes small loans to people in Malawi to enable them to set up or expand small businesses with the aim of making them self-sufficient for their daily needs and provide food, shelter, clothing and education for their families. The charity has made over 7,500 loans so far, supporting a total of around 50,000 individuals, many of them children orphaned by AIDS.

 

 

 

August 7, 2006