£75,000 raised by Dorset walkers for Julia's House

More than 300 sponsored walkers headed off through the Purbeck countryside on 1 July to raise funds for the charity Julia’s House.

While enjoying healthy exercise, as well as superb views of Durlston Country Park, the 300-plus walkers raised over £75,000 for Julia’s House children’s hospices.

The Different Travel Company, who were managing the event, gave a donation of £300 to the South West Coast Path Association and £200 to the Friends of Durlston. This was in acknowledgement of the impact that three hundred pairs of feet might have had upon the paths and as a thank you for the support provided by Dorset County Council’s Ranger Team.

Prior to the event the company contacted the Countryside Service to make the arrangements. Ranger Paul Jones said, “The Different Travel Company have shown good practice in their organisation of the event using the Public Rights of Way network. By contacting us in advance, we were able to support the event by avoiding other events and work, contacting landowners along the route and allowing walkers to use the facilities at Durlston.

Another major event takes place on Saturday 28 October 2017 when the South West Coast Path Association is holding their third annual 10-mile public sponsored walk from Durlston Castle to South Haven Point, to raise funds to support the Coast Path and they are currently seeking more walkers to sign up.