The Harbour2Harbour Walk will return for its fourth year on Sunday 21st May, and organisers have announced there will be a second, shorter route this year so more people can get involved.

It is hoped last year’s record-breaking entry of 319 walkers will be beaten, ensuring the fundraising exceeds the 2016 total of almost ?4,000.

The coastal walk, sponsored by award-winning developer Dandara for the second time, is organised by Southern Community Initiatives (SCI) to raise money for a number of important local community projects, including Men in Sheds and SPort Erin.

There will also be a donation to Beach Buddies, recognising the work volunteers do to remove litter from the coastline along the route of the H2H walk.

This year’s nine-mile route will see walkers leave Port Erin beach at 10am, then head along St Mary’s Road to Glen Chass before joining the coastal path through Port St Mary, along Gansey and Scarlett, and finishing in Castletown’s Market Square. For the first time, this year’s H2H will offer a shorter route, joining the other walkers at Port St Mary.

Event Co-ordinator Janet Bridle said: ‘This really is a fun event for the community, with a chance to enjoy a lovely morning walking through a beautiful part of the Island, with stunning views of the sea and countryside, while raising money for charity. It is open to all, so we hope to see lots of people on the day, and we’ll be giving walking tips on our Facebook page to help them prepare.

‘For 2017 we are including a second registration point in Port St Mary so that this year’s walk can include more ages and abilities, as the second half of the walk is mostly flat with just a few stiles to climb along Scarlett.

‘We’re also encouraging walkers to put on fancy dress, with a nautical theme, and there will be a prize for the best outfit – so don’t be shy!’

Janet added: ‘It makes so much sense to include Beach Buddies in the line-up of supported charities as we walk along a route that its volunteers work hard at keeping clean during the year, and it has a wealth of followers who we hope will sign up for the walk or help on the day.

‘The H2H walk is only possible thanks to the support of volunteers and the community, including Southern Nomads RUFC which will again be providing invaluable marshalling for the event, as well as our sponsor the Dandara Group. We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership Dandara and would like to thank the team for its ongoing commitment to the Harbour2Harbour walk.’

Based at The Hub - Thie Rosien in Castletown Road in Port Erin -  SCI is home to several initiatives including community art and creative writing projects, crafts, friendly bridge and board games, yoga, meditation, a thriving social fitness group and the very successful Men in Sheds project.

The aim of the Hub is to tackle isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through community projects, as well as promoting volunteering, inclusive communities, and providing a place for socialising and encouraging community collaboration and activities.
Dandara Managing Director Seamus Nugent said: ‘We were delighted to see record-breaking numbers join the walk during our first year as sponsor, and for so much money to be raised for such important causes. SCI provides a wonderful range of activities, tackling issues of loneliness and isolation head-on, and we’re pleased to support these inspirational community projects alongside the work of SPort Erin.

‘The inclusion of Beach Buddies as one of the charities to benefit from the fundraising is an excellent development, as the team of volunteers do exceptional work not only along this stretch of coastline but right around the Island helping to keep our shorelines clean.’

He added: ‘The organisers have done excellent work developing the H2H walk each year, to help it grow and to improve accessibility to the community, and we are pleased to be continuing our partnership as the event goes from strength to strength. The addition of a shorter second route this year will help attract extra entrants, allowing more of the community to take part and, hopefully, ensuring even more money is raised.’

To enter or find out more about the event, please email H2Hreg@hubclubsci.im, call Janet on 838180 or visit www.hubclubsci.im. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest news via Facebook www.facebook.com/harbour2harbour

Photo - Harbour2Harbour Walk organisers, representatives of sponsor Dandara and members of the charities the walk supports launch the 2017 event.