Unseasonable summer thunderstorms did little to deter the hundreds of walkers who took to the sands for this year’s CancerCare Cross Bay Walk.
Torrential rain on Saturday cleared away on Sunday to leave blue skies for the charity’s 40th anniversary “sunset walk” our first ever to take place during the evening.
Around 350 people gathered on Arnside Promenade where Kendal-based band Drum Nation got the event underway with a performance of stirring drum rhythms.
Following a final check from King’s Guide to the Sands Michael Wilson and the team from the Guide Over Sands Trust walkers got the green light to commence the walk to Grange-over-Sands at 5.30pm.
Unsurprisingly, the wet weather led to conditions on the sands being more challenging than usual, and the distance was reduced slightly from the usual eight miles, but the guide and CancerCare’s team of volunteer marshals saw everyone arrive safely in Grange at around 8.30pm.
This year’s event raised around £17,000 for us!
Caroline Smith Dance from Ulverston took part with her friend Catherine Masson.
“The Cross Bay Walk for CancerCare was a fantastic event. I attended with my friend and we have both had different types of cancer and benefitted from the amazing work CancerCare does. It was a great experience, challenging at times, but the guides made sure everyone crossed safely. It’s a great experience and even better to be supporting such a fantastic charity,” said Caroline.
Taking part for the first time was Hayley Brady from Ulverston with her friend Gemma. "What better way to spend a Sunday evening. Taking part in CancerCare's Cross Bay walk was such a fantastic experience. We are so lucky to have amazing guides who are willing to take us out onto the sands ,allowing us to soak up the 'good for the soul' atmosphere. You know you are doing something meaningful for such a worthwhile cause and I recommend that everyone does it at least once, although you will want to do it again and again. Roll on next year," said Hayley.
Organiser Kat Michaels said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the face of some very unkind weather. Special mention for King’s Guide to the Sands Michael Wilson and his amazing team from the Guide over Sands Trust and all our volunteers who gave up their time to ensure everyone was kept safe and had a great time. Every penny raised will go to help local people coping with a cancer diagnosis or loss of a loved one.”