Cheshire Wildlife Trust take on Eric Thurston Wildlife Way

Staff and trustees from Cheshire Wildlife Trust raised more than £4,500 as they took on the 90-mile Big Wild Walk.

On October 24 the team trekked along the Eric Thurston Wildlife Way, named after founding member and former chair of the Mid Cheshire branch of the CWT, Eric Thurston.

John Thurston, who created the path in his father’s memory, joined Charlotte Harris, CEO of CWT for the first stretch of the walk from Hoylake to Heswall.

He said: “My father was a keen naturalist and early advocate of the concept of ‘wildlife corridors’ to provide a route for wildlife to migrate between nature reserves.

“This walk is in keeping with his commitment to Cheshire Wildlife Trust and their work.

“I am absolutely delighted that Cheshire Wildlife Trust has chosen to walk the Eric Thurston Wildlife Way as a fundraiser this year.

“I encourage everyone who reads this to sponsor the walk!"

READ MORE: Tributes pour in for dedicated Eric

John Thurston and CEO Charlotte Harris at Thurstaston Common (Image: Hannah Phillips)

The annual Big Wild Walk initiative ran from October 21 to November 3, encouraging wildlife lovers to get out and raise money to help restore nature across the UK.

In Cheshire, 40 walkers, spread across eight teams, collectively walked just under 400 miles along the Eric Thurston Wildlife Way, which passes through Delamere Forest, Northwich and Holmes Chapel.

Throughout the day the teams visited 13 CWT nature reserves, taking in all the sights and sounds of autumn.

John added: “The walk starts in Hoylake and goes to Shining Tor, so it shows the two extremes of the west and east points of Cheshire.

“You pass through lots of interesting places along the way which are great for wildlife.

“There are some terrific viewpoints. You also pass some superb nature reserves, like Swettenham.

“But there’s also a whole raft of stuff that is so small, that you don’t see it. But it’s there, and it’s important.

“That’s part of life, isn’t it? As people, we’re an aspect of it, but people alone aren't life, aren’t a planet. We need nature.”

The CWT team at the top of Old Pale Hill in Delamere (Image: Becki Ralph)

Despite lost car keys, falls in the mud and a few grazes from an overgrown holly bush, the event proved to be a huge success, raising over £4,500.

It’s not too late to show your support.

You can donate by visiting cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshires-bigwildwalk.