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North is Walking Back to Fitness

Posted on: Saturday, 9 July 2005, 09:00 CDT

THOUSANDS of people from accross the North-East will be in County Durham this weekend to take part in an eightmile walk through some of the region's most spectacular countryside.

About 4,000 people are expected to arrive in the Weardale town of Wolsingham on Sunday for the British Heart Foundation Great North Walk.

The route will take in some of the region's most stunning scenery and, more importantly, will help people of all ages keep fit and healthy.

The walk is part of the Chance to Live campaign - a partnership between The Northern Echo, Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water.

The campaign was started to improve the well-being of people in the district by promoting the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, including exercise such as walking.

For the first time, the walk is being sponsored by the British Heart Foundation, which recognises the role walking can play in reducing the risk of heart disease.

Tony Doveston, regional director of the foundation, said:

"We are delighted to be the main sponsor of the Great North Walk.

"It is a perfect fit with the aims of the organisation because regular physical exercise reduces the chances of heart disease by 50 per cent.

We have had a good response, with almost 1,000 people walking for the British Heart Foundation."

Councillor Neil Stonehouse, leader of Wear Valley District Council, said: "We are delighted once more to welcome the 2005 British Heart Foundation Great North Walk and all participants to Wear Valley.

Ken Ross, of the primary care trust, said: "This event shows how simple it is to take the steps towards healthy living. Something simple like walking can have a great effect on being healthy."

For one walker in particular, keeping her lungs in good working order is vital - after all, she is an international opera singer. Lesley Ann Dawes, a Weardale resident and regular performer at the Guildhall, in London, and other venues all over the world, will be taking part in the walk as she prepares for her appearance at Proms in the Park, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, a week later.

She said: "Unless you are fit, you can't expect to get through an evening on the stage. The old idea of opera singers is of people who are rather large and not very fit.

But it is vocal and physical strength you need, so you do find opera singers down the gym. For me, walking is best of all, especially fell walking."

Mrs Dawes, who will walk with composer husband Alistair, has been given the number one card by the organisers - not the first time she has topped the bill.

She said: "I just fell about - but to be a celebrity in Weardale is not to be a sheep."

Last year, the walk took place in Bishop Auckland, but was held in Wolsingham in 2003. However, the route, which this year also incorporates a shorter, wheels-friendly circuit, has been slightly altered, starting and finishing at Wolsingham recreation ground and following the riverbank to Weardale Way and Broadwood.

There will be entertainment along the route including local bands Outshine, Scatt and Death Pigeons and soloists Jemima Willis, Jayne Harrison, Rachel Harrison and Ashley Maddison, all from Wolsingham School and Community College, The Weardale Cloggers, a unicyclist and a highland piper.

Walkers will also see the 1.1m Wellness on Wheels mobile gym, which will be at Wolsingham School and Community College. Tyne Tees Television will be filming and will feature the walk on Sunday, July 16, at 6.30pm.

See Monday's paper for pictures and reports from the walk and Wednesday's paper for a free 16-page supplement with pictures and a list of entrants.

Source: Northern Echo

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