Faslane Base team take part in charity walk to Barrow in Furness
All smiles but sore feet – the HM Navy Base Clyde team who took part in one-day walk to Barrow in Furness.
By Kim Hardie
Personnel from HM Naval Base Clyde recently headed to Cumbria to take part in this year’s Keswick to Barrow Walk.
The event, which took place on Saturday, challenges participants to cover the 40 miles between Keswick and Barrow in just one day and some 16 staff from the Naval Base took part to raise funds for several charities. The total raised by the Clyde team so far this year is £3,300.
Those taking part included Royal Navy personnel, Royal Marines, Lockheed Martin, Babcock, MOD Guard Service, AWE, Armed Forces Veterans and Forces Families. Together they left their hotel in Barrow at 3:45 am to make their way to the start line at Keswick.
Eleven keen walkers completed the 40-mile expedition from Keswick to Barrow (K2B) with a further five people and one Labrador called Fin completing the slightly shorter, but equally daunting 21 miles from Coniston to Barrow (C2B). Just like her human team mates, Fin was also presented with a medal and celebratory pie at the finishing line.
Taking part for the first time this year was Sub-Lieutenant Annie Sykes, Royal Navy, who said: “I joined the HM Naval Base Clyde Keswick to Barrow Team after seeing the challenge advertised and thought this would be a great way of meeting like-minded people from different organisations in the Base to raise money for well deserving causes. The team spirit and determination of everyone involved was truly inspiring.”
The Keswick to Barrow Walk began in 1966 following a statement by the then US President John F. Kennedy that “every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day”. At that time HMS Resolution was under construction at the Barrow shipyard and several Americans were involved in the project. Shipyard workers and the crew of HMS Resolution were challenged by their colleagues to form a team to walk from Keswick to Barrow with the first event held on April 1, 1967.”
This year the charities benefiting from the Clyde team’s efforts included: Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, Erskine, Beatson Cancer Care, Alkaptonuria Society and Vale of Leven Autism & Asperger’s Forum. The funds will be presented to the charities at an awards night in Barrow later in the year.
There is still time to donate. Visit the events page at: https://keswick2barrow.co.uk/donate/107654?cid2=107654