Julia Bradbury: challenging walkers

Walking celebrity Julia Bradbury is urging walkers to take up a challenge to support children at risk.

The television presenter, who will become the Ramblers’ president next month, has thrown her weight behind a series of long-distance charity walks that will raise cash for children’s charity the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The eight challenge walks, all of 32km (20 miles) or more, have been dubbed Hacks – Hikes Against Cruelty to Kids – and are being staged in various locations across the country between June and September.

Cash raised will go towards helping the NSPCC’s work in protecting vulnerable and abused children.

Ms Bradbury said: “It’s well known that I love the outdoors and hiking in the beautiful countryside. Walking is a great way to keep fit and it can have an uplifting effect on your mood. We are lucky that the UK has such stunning countryside, and these walks take full advantage of that.

“The NSPCC Hacks are all around 25 miles and will definitely be challenging. So whether you’re an experienced walker, or if this is new to you, get your walking boots on, start training and get yourself registered for the Hack. It’s a great way to raise money for the NSPCC to help support vulnerable and abused children.”

NSPCC fundraising manager, Lucy Gower said: “As walking has become more popular in recent years, so have the NSPCC’s Hacks. We’ve expanded from one walk in 2005 to eight this year.

“Walks cover some of the UK’s areas of outstanding natural beauty including the Cotswolds, Welsh Hills, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales.

“Each Hack offers people the chance to spend a day in the great outdoors with family, friends and fellow walkers and to stretch their physical stamina.”

The NSPCC hopes to raise £300,000 from its series of Hacks challenges. The first takes place on Saturday 26 June and the final one is on Sunday 19 September.

Details are on the NSPCC website.