Magnificent seven walks will support coastal trail
SEVEN fundraising walks are to be held this summer as a campaign is launched to raise funds to support the South West Coast Path.
The South West Coast Path Association has launched the Coast Path Challenge 2024 as part of its Every Mile Matters campaign.
The campaign is designed to inspire everyone who loves the path to get involved and raise funds to protect the trail, helping to ensure it continues to be there for future generations to enjoy considering increasing threats from extreme weather conditions, climate change and coastal erosion.
The Coast Path Challenge will include seven fundraising walks, all accessible by train or bus/public transport, across the seven sections of the Coast Path – The Magnificent 7) – during National Walking month in May, giving people a chance to take to the path and show their support alongside businesses who are championing different local sections across the 630 miles and four counties.
Organisers say the coast path provides ‘health-giving happiness to more than nine million people every year’. The association works with partners to improve equity of access to the path and connects local communities to the health and wellbeing benefits of using the trail through its Coast Path Connectors project.
Since 2013, the charity which protects, improves, and promotes England’s longest National Trail, has been tracking ‘exceptional coastal erosion events’ with the help of its volunteers and trail partners, and has recorded over 230 in the last 10 years, with a significant amount occurring in winter 2023/24 due to unprecedented rainfall that has hit the region.
Recorded events include cliff falls, landslips, or collapses of key infrastructure such as steps or bridges caused by heavy rainfall, flooding, or storm surges. In the last two years the trail has also experienced five wildfires which caused temporary closures to sections of the trail and caused destruction of the unique and fragile coastal habitats. Climate change research indicates that these events are likely to increase in frequency and severity over the coming years.
St Austell Brewery is stepping up as the lead supporter for Every Mile Matters and getting behind the charity’s fundraising challenge.
Julian Gray, director of the South West Coast Path Association, said: “We are delighted that St Austell Brewery is helping to protect the South West Coast Path by championing our Every Mile Matters campaign. As one of the region’s most important natural assets the National Trail helps generate £520 million for the visitor economy each year. As a business with its roots firmly in the South West, St Austell Brewery is a natural fit to work with the charity to support the Coast Path and the people who live, work and play along our amazing coast.
“We’re thrilled to renew this important partnership with a charity that has the South West at its heart. With pubs and rooms along the path from Lyme Regis and Mousehole to Polzeath and Lynmouth – our spaces serve as a welcome break for those walking the coast path to enjoy.
St Austell Brewery is joined by Sustainable Transport sponsor Great Western Railway, and prominent businesses Seasalt Clothing, Warrens Bakery, Luxury Coastal and John Fowler Holidays.