Newbury teams prepare for 52-mile trek

Teams will trek 52 miles in 24 hours along The Ridgeway National Trail

TEAMS across Newbury are preparing to trek along the oldest road in Britain to raise thousands of pounds for deafblind people in the UK.

About 80 teams are expected to take part in either a 26-mile trek in twelve hours or 52-mile trek in 24 hours along The Ridgeway National Trail, starting at Burys Down, West Ilsley, and ending at Barbury Castle, Swindon.

Among the groups raising money for Sense, which provides services to deafblind people in the UK, will be a team from Newbury and Crookham Golf Club.

Chris Sharp, professional golfer at the club, is taking on the challenge with Richard Johnson, Sarah Jolly, and Alex Ward.

The 27-year-old of Kingsbridge Road, Newbury, said: “One of my friends at the golf club did it last year but half of his team dropped out because of blisters and other problems.

“I spoke to Sarah first and she was up for the challenge. We then both asked friends and before we knew it we had a team.

“I didn't want to do the 26 miles because if I had completed it I would have been wondering whether I could have completed the 52 miles.

“It's the equivalent of walking from Newbury to Bristol so we know it's not going to be easy but it's for a great cause.

“I'm probably the most unfit of the four because Alex is a challenge junkie, Sarah has climbed mountains and Richard plays football everyday. I just walk around a golf course.”

A team of Newbury amateur actors who met at The Watermill Young Company will also be taking part in the event on May 14.

Mr Warne, aged 29, who will be joined by friends Harriet Collins, Jonathan Harding and Emma Paice, said: “We were looking for an opportunity to do something and make a difference as a team. We came across the ridge walk and when we saw the difficult terrain it then gave us all a boost to start getting healthy and fit.”

A seven-man team from Micro Focus Ltd, based in Old Bath Road, Newbury, will also be taking part and have already raised more than £1,400 for Sense.

To sponsor the Micro Focus team call 01635 32646.

If you would like to sponsor the Newbury and Crookham Golf Club group or The Watermill group visit their respective websites by clicking the links below.

Last year more than 210 trekkers from 54 teams took part in the event, which raised more than £100,000 for Sense.

For more details, click on the Ridge walk website link below.