Beer walk is a crate escape

Launching the 2009 “Crate Escape” Saddleworth Beer Walk.

THIRSTY Saddleworth Beer Walk chiefs have dubbed this year’s event “The Crate Escape” after it was scheduled to take place on D-Day.

And organisers are confident of mammoth support on June 6 — despite the economic downturn.

The dedicated Saddleworth Round Table beer walk committee (pictured) believe they can top the club’s charity fund-raising total of £20,000 — with walkers raising an additional £50,000 for their own dedicated causes.

This year’s walk — the 36th in the Round Table’s history — already has teams clamouring to enter. More than 1,500 walkers are expected to take part.

Staged over 11.2 miles and encompassing landmark pubs and clubs, the route winds around Greenfield, Uppermill, Dobcross, Delph, and Diggle.

Last year, the procession included a 100-strong team of fund-raisers dressed as bumble bees.

Rendezvous

This year’s beer walk begins at 2pm after registration at Churchill Playing Fields, Greenfield, and finishes around 8pm at the same rendezvous.

The much-loved event first launched when a handful of Round Table members decided to go walkabout on a specific day each year with charity collection boxes.

Now the walk is recognised as one of the most popular events on Saddleworth’s social calendar.

Beer Walk chairman Richard Taylor said: “We never fail to be inspired by the creative costumes and innovation by the walkers’ efforts to produce something funny, eye-catching and creative to raise money.

“The walk has become a must in Saddleworth and we know it will be a huge success.”

n A new dedicated website now makes it even easier to enter. Log on to www.beerwalk.co.uk to register your details.