THE LATEST edition of an annual walking challenge has been launched by Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

This year the charity’s challenge will be held on Saturday 11 September, with the aim of raising more than £25,000 to directly deliver hours of hospice care in over 700 patients’ homes each year within the community. The event was originally scheduled for July 2020 but was postponed due to Covid-19.

Sponsored by local architects, Unwin Jones Partnership and Westwood Landscape, Step Up to the Plate is a gastronomic walking challenge based along the Hadrian’s Wall Path, offering two distances – 8.5 miles and 18 miles. Supported by a range of local eateries, samples of Cumbrian delicacies are being offered along the route to accompany the breath taking views.

The event starting from Greenhead, sees participants walk west towards Carlisle, departing Greenhead village, and stopping at the iconic Birdoswald, Coombe Crag Farm, a lunch break at Dacre Hall, onto Newtown Village, Low Crosby Village, and finishing at Bitts Park for a well-earned celebratory drink and hot meal waiting at the finish line.

This family event welcomes children with an accompanying adult. The walk has also been deemed dog friendly, with treats and hydration stations available.

Bruce Walker, Managing Director at Westwood Landscape said: “Hospice at Home is a great local charity and we are pleased that through our sponsorship of this event more funds will be raised for their valuable caring work in the local community.”