Walkers are digging out their boots this week with the start of the South West Coast Path Association's 2014 charity event, the Great South West Walks, on 20^thSeptember. Please find below a press release regarding this.

Please find attached low res images of the Coast Path at Bedruthan in Cornwall and Bossington in Somerset. There is also an image attached of Ken Carter, Chair of the Great South West Walks. High res or alternative images from around the Coast Path are available on request.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards
Rebecca

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PRESS RELEASE

TO: News Desk

FROM: South West Coast Path Association

DATE: 13^thSeptember 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Walkers Head For The Coast For Special Event

Walkers are digging out their boots this week with the start of the South West Coast Path Association's 2014 charity event, the Great South West Walks, on 20^thSeptember.

Taking place between 20^thand 28^thSeptember, the event comprises100circular walks covering all levels of difficulty and length, with many including themes - each led by an expert guide. There are walks across Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset sections of the path.

There are still places available on the walks, so anyone interested is encouraged to sign up now - and with many ‘Family Friendly' walks available across the event, all children can walk for free.

There are shorter easier walks for younger families and longer more adventurous walks for families who regularly walk together, as well as longer distance walks over tough terrain for the more experienced.

The last three years have seen some of the worst winter storms and summer rainfall in the South West for a generation - and with a 30% reduction in the funding for maintaining the Path, those who carry out this work are struggling to maintain its condition.

To help address this decline in support, the event's aim is toraise vital funds for theSouth West Coast Path Associationin orderto improvethe Coast Path,alongsideChildren's Hospice South Westto support children with life limiting illnesses.

Ken Carter, Chair of the Great South West Walks 2014, is delighted that the event has generated so much interest, saying:

"We are thrilled to see so many people take an interest in the South West Coast Path and the Great South West Walks. Not only do we have a number of corporate sponsors and event partners, with South West Water as our lead supporter, but the support we have received from all the walk guides and back markers has been outstanding - and of course we are delighted with all the individuals who have entered the event. It is fantastic that so many are confirming how important it is that the Coast Path is maintained for future generations."

Ken continued:

"We are looking forward to welcoming those who are supporting our charity and Children's Hospice South West on these walks. Do join us if you haven't already signed up! By supporting the South West Coast Path Association, through the Great South West Walks, people are helping us to improve the path and keep the way open to beautiful coastal places."

To book a walk, participants can visit the Great South West Walks website and choose one or several of the walks that they would like to participate in atwww.greatsouthwestwalks.co.uk

Alternatively, registration can be made via telephone by calling the South West Coast Path Association on01752 896237.

Listen to the opening day of the event live with BBC Radio Devon from 10 am on Saturday 20^thSeptember. David Fitzgerald will be broadcasting from the coast and linking to walkers as they set off along the Coast Path.

Further information about the organisation and the walks can be found on the website, on Twitter @LoveSWCoastPath or Facebook /SWCPA

ENDS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITOR'S NOTES

Contact: Rebecca Waterfield at Eventy - Marketing & PR on 01326 376273 / Rebecca@eventy.co.uk for further info.

PHOTO: Please find attached low res images of the Coast Path at Bedruthan in Cornwall and Bossington in Somerset. There is also an image attached of Ken Carter, Chair of the Great South West Walks. High res or alternative images from around the Coast Path are available on request.

FURTHER INFO:

The South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA)is a charity that works to ensure the path is one of the best walks in the world and protects it for all to enjoy. Supporting the charity and adding a voice as a member helps the SWCPA to improve the path and keep the way open to beautiful coastal places. The Great South West Walks 2014 will help to achieve this.

South West Coast Path Team
The South West Coast Path Team is responsible for co-ordinating the management and promotion of the 630 mile National Trail. Its work is funded by Natural England, and they are supported in their task by the highway authorities and National Trust who maintain the path to a high standard and thus ensure this remains one of the world's greatest walks.
Contact:swcpteam@devon.gov.uk;www.southwestcoastpath.com01392 383560 

South West Coast Path National Trail

The South West Coast Path was originally a means for the coastguard to track and pursue smugglers and continues to provide access to 630 miles of stunning coastal scenery from Minehead to Poole. As a designated National Trail, which represents the finest walking routes in Britain, it is the longest and most popular walk in the country and is considered among the World's Great Hikes. With two World Heritage Sites, Five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one National Park, it's a journey along one of the most diverse coastal landscapes in the world where no two days walking it are ever the same.

Children's Hospice South West (CHSW)

Children's Hospice South West (CHSW)are dedicated to making the most of short and precious lives, providing the best possible hospice care for life-limited children and their families from the South West. They deliver a range of services including short breaks, specialist play, music therapy, activities for siblings, palliative and emergency care, end of life care, and bereavement support.

Their three homely hospices - Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm in North Somerset, and Little Harbour in Cornwall - are special places with tailor-made family-friendly facilities. It isn't simply the quality of the environment that makes their hospices what they are: it is the love friendship and smiles found inside, thanks to the specially selected care staff. They provide a loving, caring place for every member of every family who stays with CHSW, including enriching one-to-one care for the sick child, a special sibling service for well brothers and sisters, and support for Mums and Dads.

To find out more about their wonderful work visitwww.chsw.org.uk

Great South West Walks 2014 Supporters

SWCPA are working with a large number of organisations to ensure the Great South West Walks are a success. These include; Children's Hospice South West, the South West Coast Path Team, the National Trust, County Councils, Exmoor National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - South Devon, East Devon, North Devon Coast and Cornwall. The walks themselves are made possible with the support of walking businesses such as Exploring Cornwall, local walking groups and numerous tourism businesses. South West Water is the lead supporter for this event, supporting corporate partners are; The Thurlestone Hotel, The Carbis Bay Hotel, Toad Hall Cottages, Parkdean Holidays, Cottages4You and Bagwell Farm. Media Partnerships are essential for getting our message out there including; Western Morning News, Cornwall Today, Country Walking magazine and BBC Radio Cornwall and Devon. Thank you to all.