Couple set to celebrate what proved to be an engaging Saddleworth 3 Peaks walk!

Royton couple Bryn and Kat Cooke are taking a small bottle of champagne with them when they embark on the Mahdlo Three Peaks of Saddleworth charity walk next month - to toast an engaging moment that happened last year.

Mid-walk and thinking they were alone on Indian’s Head looking out over Dovestones Reservoir, Bryn got down on one knee and proposed to Kat, a moment that just happened to be captured on camera by a passing walker who then posted it on Facebook.

Now Bryn, Head of Housing at Oldham Borough Council, and Kat, a teaching assistant at Sandbrook Primary School, in Rochdale, plan to raise a glass of fizz to mark their romantic moment when they reach Indian’s Head again on this year’s walk in aid of Mahdlo Youth Zone on Saturday week, July 1.

Recalling the moment Bryn popped the question, Kat said: “I was in shock, I wasn’t expecting it at all.

"I knew it was going to happen, I just didn’t know when.

"We’d booked our wedding for August just the week before we did the walk, so Bryn must have thought that was the best time to get down on one knee.”

The pair did indeed tie the knot the following month (see picture below) and will celebrate their first wedding anniversary with a week-long cruise around the eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic coast later this summer.

So far, about 170 people have signed up to join Bryn (51) and Kat (46) for this year’s three peaks charity challenge, which includes local landmarks Indian’s Head, Pots and Pans and Wharmton Hill, and involves about 3,000ft of climbing.

Mum-of-five Kat, who is also looking forward to her seventh grandchild being born this summer, has these words of encouragement for anyone taking part for the first time: “It’s hard work but it’s a great experience and the sense of achievement you feel at the end is fantastic.

"There’s so much support and encouragement as you go round too, and you meet all sorts of people of all ages – it’s great to see.”

Mahdlo Youth Zone first opened in 2012 and is dedicated to young people from all over Oldham aged 8 to 19 years, and up to 25 for those with a disability.

It employs 54 full and part-time staff and is supported by an additional 96 volunteers.

The Egerton Street centre is open seven days a week and provides an array of activities and services in support of young people, with more sessions spread across the whole borough.

This summer’s three peaks challenge is one of several fundraising events Mahdlo organises throughout the year to help fund its mission to provide opportunities for young people to be the very best they can be.

Last year it raised more than £1.3 million - including £11,000 from its three peaks walk - to support its funding and is aiming for £1.7 million this year as it aspires to reach approximately 3,500 young people across the borough.

Mahdlo’s Chief Executive, Lucy Lees, said: “As well as the extensive activities we host in the town centre, we have pop up sessions all over the borough – one night we might be in Hollinwood, another night in Saddleworth or Hathershaw, and then Royton.

"With all the different venues we have, we want more young people to take advantage of what we have to offer, and we want more people to start supporting our charity.

“We’ve got different opportunities for different people from all over Oldham.

"If you don’t do your Duke of Edinburgh award at school you can do it through us, we have the cheapest gym in Oldham, for 50p we have facilities that compare to most adult gyms.

"You can play football and basketball, take part in multisports and we support young carers and families – we have so much to offer.”

If you would like to take part in the walk, visit the website here

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