The 630-mile South West Coast Path (SWCP) is one of Britain's epic walks. The longest of the National Trails, it was created to enable coast-guards to ensure maritime safety and look out for smugglers, as well as for their children to get to school; it is distinct in that it was a working path until relatively modern times.
In 2013, the SWCP Association celebrates its 40th anniversary and is inviting members of the public to join a series of guided sponsored walks. It hopes that about 30 people a day will tackle the 56 stretches, either starting from Poole harbour in Dorset and walking west along the Jurassic Coast or starting from Minehead in Somerset and heading west along the Exmoor coastline. Walks may be from half a day to several days. The two groups will meet in the middle, at Land's End, for a birthday party on May 7.
The fundraising target is £250,000, which will go towards some 40 path-improvement projects, with each walker asked to raise at least £50. To sign up, telephone 01752 896237 or visit www.greatsouthwestwalk.co.uk
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