We’ll drink to that!
Reporter: LEWIS JONES
Date published: 20 June 2011
Photo: Pictures: GARETH LOWE
POLKA dot paradise . . . for the Minnie Mouse team
Beer walk hailed as best ever
THE biggest beer walk in Saddleworth’s history went with a bang on Saturday as more than 2,500 revellers took to the streets.
Round Table organisers toasted another bumper year for charities as the record-breaking crowd donned outlandish costumes to tackle the 11-mile route, this year dubbed the Crawl of Duty.
From pirates to superheroes, walkers took on the route with gusto in their colourful creations.
Local residents waved as they lined the streets to witness the procession in its 38th year.
Beer walk committee chairman Dave MacDougall said: “It’s been another great year and it certainly looks as though, once all the sponsorship and other funds are in, we will have broken last year’s record of £41,000. We had a terrific response from a wide range of enthusiastic fundraisers who all turned up on the day in creative, innovative and sometimes hilarious fancy costumes to raise money for their own specific charities.”
Among the revellers was former Saddleworth School pupil Harry Fraser (25) who was diagnosed with testicular cancer two years ago and subsequently underwent chemotherapy at The Christie.
His team of 12 friends dressed as giant pieces from classic video arcade game Tetris to raise cash for the cancer hospital.
He said: “It came as a shock but I’m in remission now.
“The walk was hard in our outfits but the atmosphere was unbelievable, and I was walking for a cause close to my heart.”
A team of walkers dressed as giant traffic cones followed The Flintstones complete with their very own prehistoric float. The prize for best fancy dress went to a group who brought ancient Egypt back to life by carrying a pyramid made of beer cans.
The Red Barrows, a team of 16 friends, walked in formation and set off smoke bombs to raise cash for the Saddleworth Special Needs playgroup to scoop second place in the process.
A large-scale clean-up operation took place yesterday as volunteers teamed up with Oldham Council’s Street Scene to make sure no beer cans were left behind.
Police made one arrest during the walk after an incident at Lark Hill. Organisers say they will now meet with police for a full review of proceedings, with the aim of tackling the thousands of walkers who unofficially tagged along without paying.
Mr MacDougall added: “We have already received encouraging responses from residents and participants who have texted to say they thought it was a great event. We need to iron out the creases and explore every avenue to encourage people to officially sign up to the walk.”
Organisers also hope to host more charity tents at the start of the trek next year, after youth centre Mahdlo managed to hand out 27 fundraising buckets to walkers.
