TAKE A WALK ON THE WATER SIDE & SIGN UP TO A SPONSORED
WALK IN EDINBURGH ALONG THE UNION CANAL
ON 13 SEPTEMBER
The
canal network once acted as the arteries for commerce and trade, as merchants
and industrialists used them to transport their goods by water. Barges and
boats laden with fabrics, coal and iron coursed along the waterways taking
their precious cargo across the country. While the commercial use of the canals
may have diminished, the waterways have experienced a renaissance, this time
with walkers keen to take in the historic surroundings of the canals and
connect with nature.
The
charities Leonard Cheshire Disability and The Waterways Trust are offering
people the chance to experience the history of the canals and the wildlife that
surround them with a sponsored ‘water walk'.
On
Sunday 13 September walkers will meet in Spylaw Park,
Colinton Village, from 10.30am onwards for the 4
mile walk. The route will take walkers along part of the Water of Leith and
then they will join the Union
Canal to the finish at
Edinburgh Quay. There will also be a shorter, fully accessible, route of 1.5
miles available. Walkers need to raise £7.50 per person, or £20 for a
family.
The
walk has already gathered backing from the Scottish Parliament as local MSP
David McLetchie lodged a motion of support wishing the event every success. (That
the Parliament welcomes Leonard Cheshire Disability's sponsored
Waterwalks from Colinton Village to Edinburgh Quay on 13 September 2009, which
are not only a healthy way of raising money for charity but also encourage
people to discover Edinburgh's beautiful hidden gem, the Union Canal, and
wishes all participants an enjoyable and successful day out.)
Walkers will be able to stop off en route for
refreshments and visit the free interactive exhibition at the Water of Leith
Visitor Centre and perhaps finish the walk trying their hand at Edinburgh's newest indoor golf
attraction, The Clubhouse at Edinburgh Quay, in the Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive
competitions. People who take part in the water walk can take up discounts for Cargo,
Zizzi, Nando's and Tenpin bowling.
Walkers
can decide the pace they want to walk at and the distance they want to walk
for. There will be different activities along the routes and children can take
part in activities including a photography competition, plus a "Did you know?"
quiz about the Union
Canal.
Jo Pike, Edinburgh based Fundraising Manager for
Leonard Cheshire Disability said: "We would like to thank David McLetchie
for his support of the water walk. The walk will give people an opportunity to
enjoy the combination of water, wildlife and greenery as they join their fellow
walkers, after which there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy special
discounts at local restaurants and leisure facilities. We want as many people
as possible to sign up to make it an unforgettable day."
Joanne Darlington, Director of The
Waterways Trust, explains: "We are delighted to be teaming up with
Leonard Cheshire Disability to raise awareness of what our wonderful historic
waterways have to offer people of all abilities and to raise much needed money
towards the protection of the wildlife that inhabits them. We hope to raise in
excess of £10,000 for both charities in this our first year and to increase
that pot in years to come as the event becomes more established."
To sign
up to the Water Walks go to www.LCDisability.org/waterwalks or telephone: 0845 055 2195.
Leonard Cheshire Disability supports over
21,000 disabled people in the UK
and work in 54 countries. The charity campaigns for change and provides
innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life
their way.
In Edinburgh,
Leonard Cheshire Disability provides services in 11 locations throughout the
city.
The Waterways Trust is a national charity working in
partnership with others to promote greater public enjoyment and awareness of
the UK's
inland waterways. The Trust raises funds for
waterway regeneration, conservation, recreation, community, arts, education and
access projects. www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
Motion lodged by David McLetchie MSP:
S3M-04676 David
McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party):
Waterwalks for Leonard Cheshire Disability- S3M-04676 David
McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party):
Waterwalks for Leonard Cheshire Disability-
That the Parliament welcomes Leonard Cheshire Disability's sponsored
Waterwalks from Colinton Village to Edinburgh Quay on 13 September 2009, which
are not only a healthy way of raising money for charity but also encourage
people to discover Edinburgh's beautiful hidden gem, the Union Canal, and
wishes all participants an enjoyable and successful day out.
Supported by: Bob Doris, Bill
Aitken, Sarah Boyack, John Lamont, Alex Johnstone, Elizabeth Smith, Murdo
Fraser, Jackson Carlaw, Margaret Mitchell, Kenneth Gibson, Ken Macintosh, Mary
Scanlon, Bill Kidd, Jackie Baillie, Robin Harper, Gavin Brown, Ted Brocklebank,
Mike Pringle, Joe FitzPatrick
Lodged on Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Current
August 2009
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