Trickster steals a march on walkers
Reporter: KEN BENNETT
Date published: 01 June 2010
Wristband con could cost charities cash
Stunned organisers of Saddleworth’s record-breaking beer walk have revealed a cruel trickster may have cost charities valuable cash donations.
Distinctive wristbands for the event, which attracted 2,400 walkers on Saturday, have gone missing.
Today it was revealed the wristbands may have been sold to late entrants at a cut price.
Saddleworth Round Table officials, who organised the event — their 37th — are investigating allegations that the wristbands were being sold for £5 each on the morning of the walk. They may have gone missing from secure boxes.
The true value of each of the lime-green coloured wristbands was £20 — the sum genuine charity fund-raisers paid to enter the legendary walk.
There were 10 tokens on each wristband, which, in turn, were exchanged for one free can of lager or beer at each stop along the way on the day.
Malcolm Kilpatrick, one of the organisers, said: “We understand a woman was seen selling the wristbands near Greenfield chip shop for £5 each on the morning of the walk.
“We are stunned by what has happened. It’s disgusting that someone would do this and cash in on an event which devotes all its charity fund-raising to helping worthy causes across the community and further afield.
“It is a despicable trick and we are determined to find out just what has happened.”
The 35-year-old added: “At this time, we are not sure how many wristbands were taken.
“But whatever the number, it is still a shocking thing to happen to a charity event.”
Round Tablers are worried the knock-on effect could mean some walkers, who bought the cheap wristbands, may not honour their commitment to donate money they raised from kind-hearted locals to charities.
Dave MacDougall, a former beer walk chairman and one of this year’s committee, said: “We are contacting photographers and anyone who may have got a glimpse of this woman.
“We would ask anyone with any information to contact us immediately and we plan to involve police in a bid to catch this cruel confidence trickster.
“Nothing has ever happened like this in all the years of the beer walk. Everyone is very shocked and upset — particularly as this year’s record-breaking event is expected to make significant cash boosts to so many deserving causes.
“We sincerely hope that anyone who bought the cheap wristbands honours their debt to charities they pledged support.”
The walk saw entrants brave cold and wet conditions to complete the 11-mile course from Churchill playing fields in Greenfield and took in Uppermill, Dobcross and Delph.
Anyone with information should call Mr MacDougall on 07792-777 777.
