Walking is something we obviously all like to do in our spare time, getting some fresh air, moving our bodies, and seeing different parts of our planet on foot gives us walkers great pleasure. But have you ever thought about doing a walk to raise money and awareness for one of the many amazing charities in our country that do so much good for people in all sorts of different situations? We’ve found some amazing local charity walks that you might like to think about getting involved with, doing something you really enjoy whilst doing some good for the world can’t be a bad thing, can it?

1. The Cotswold Way Challenge for Terrance Higgins Trust

The Cotswold Way offers over 100 miles of beautiful scenery from the Cotswold escarpment through picturesque little villages and past famous ancient sites, starting or ending in Bath and Chipping Campden. On the 30th of June this year, the Terrence Higgins Trust challenges you to join 2000 people of all ages and experience levels, to either walk the full distance with the option to camp halfway, walk half of the route, or even a quarter depending on what you’re comfortable with. It’s not about competition but simply getting out there with other like-minded people for a good cause. Terrance Higgins Trust is at the forefront of the fight against HIV and improving the nation’s sexual health.

2. The Cotswold Way, Trek the Night for Action Medical Research for Children.

Not too dissimilar to the above since this route tackles part of The Cotswold Way, but with a difference! This is a real endurance walk, through the night, and is not for the fainthearted. The 40-mile course takes you through a lot of muddy paths and is really, really tough. You’ll walk (or crawl depending on how you are feeling!)  through to sunlight to complete the course. Action Medical Research for Children saves and changes children’s lives through medical research.

3. Cheltenham Memory Walk, Pittville Park for Alzheimer’s Society

This October, join many other wonderful people as they walk for Alzheimer’s Society. Pittville Park is Cheltenham’s largest ornamental garden and is a really beautiful and peaceful place to walk. It is an easy and short stroll passing through long grass at times, but most abilities should be able to complete this walk. Alzheimer’s Society have a vision of a world without dementia and until the day they find a cure they will strive to create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted and able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.

4. Ridgeway Walk, for Sense

The challenge this June 9-10th is to walk 52 miles in 24 hours, Sounds pretty hardcore right? But Sense Charity will be there to support you all of the way from training to the main event, starting at 10,000 steps a day they will help you to build up to over 100,000 steps on the day of the walk. This is a great challenge if you are looking to get fit and active and raise some money for an amazing charity. The Ridgewalk is named after the Ridgeway that you’ll follow through Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, through the day and night walking the oldest road in Britain. Sense is a national disability charity that supports people with complex communication needs to be understood, valued, and connected to others.

5. Bath Men’s Walk, for Dorothy House Hospice Care

Calling all of the men out there! This is an 8-mile walk that starts at Dorothy House in Winsley and mainly follows the lovely canal. Not only do you get a nice walk to raise some money but you’ll also get free bacon sarnies before you start, a pub stop along the way and a free pint and pie at the end, can’t be bad can it? Dorothy House provides compassionate care and support for people in our community with a life-limiting illness. Dorothy House focuses on quality of life, so patients can live well and die well.

6. Bluebell Charity Walk

This is an annual walk in May, with many charities taking part, so you can pick the one that’s closest to your heart. This beautiful route takes you through the woods behind Cornbury Park in Burford where you’ll see the stunning bluebells (hence the name) on through Chilson Village and finishing at the railway station in Charlbury.

7. Relay for Life, Cirencester for Cancer Research UK

This is a team fundraising challenge where members take turns like a relay, to walk around a track over a 24-hour period. It is open to everyone and anyone and you can either start your own team or hop onto an existing team. On the day expect camps to have been set up by teams who jump up and take their turn on the track. As Cancer Research says; cancer never sleeps and neither do the teams on this day! It is a really great day with a friendly and fun atmosphere and is an amazing way to raise money for this hugely important charity. Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity working tirelessly to figure out more about the disease which is now one of the leading causes of death in our country.