We’re only here for the beer — and £25,000

LONG haul . . . Walkers reach Lark Hill with a heavy load

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From cave girls to Vikings, from Mexican bandits to French mime artists, the Crate Escape saw a record turnout this year

Pictures by Chris Sunderland, Ken Bennett and Helen Worth

Organisers of Saddleworth’s legendary beer walk were reeling from a record-breaking event which raised more than £25,000 for Round Table charities.

Despite biting winds and the threat of rain, a record number of more than 2,000 walkers in fancy dress took part in the 11.2-mile trek which covered Greenfield, Uppermill, Dobcross, Delph and Diggle.

And Richard ‘Tickle’ Taylor, Saddleworth Round Table’s beer walk chairman, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic event.

“We had more entrants than ever before. We have netted a staggering £25,000 for local Round Table charities — plus walkers themselves have raised many thousands more in support of their own charities.”

Themed as The Crate Escape to mark the D-Day landings, the event was supported by more than 100 volunteer back-up crew and thousands of locals who turned out to swell walkers’ funds.

Grasscroft twins Gavin and Gareth Russell (28) headed 92 friends who dressed as Victorian mime-artists with white faces and distinctive costumes.

Last year, they notched up a buzzing success when their 90-strong team claimed a top prize dressed as honey bees and, previously, their squad has dressed as sheep, dominoes, the Olympic bid and members of Star Trek.

The boys, sons of Gordon Russell, a leading member of Oldham Metro Rotary Club and this year’s Saddleworth Summer Show organiser, both work in London.

Said Mr Russell: “It is a tremendous team effort. They come from all over Britain to take part and only put the finishing touches to their costumes an hour before the walk began.

“They did not reveal their idea until the morning of the event and it was widely appreciated by the walk’s supporters.”

Fancy dress ranged from a team of three who dressed as judges from the hit TV show “Britain’s Got Talent” to a team of girls dressed as air hostesses.

A show-stopper, which won the event’s top prize, were the Beer Hunters, complete with giant pink elephant made by Phil Barker and a team from Greenfield.

Earlier, a hoaxer put a message on Facebook saying the event — the 36th in the Round Table’s history — had been cancelled.

But Mr Taylor added: “That’s nonsense. There will always be a Saddleworth Beer Walk — it goes from strength to strength.”