Join us in the North West's most popular adventure, walk across Morecambe Bay on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August 2008 and raise money for Local Blind People.

Family, friends, children and dogs are all welcome, for walk details and sponsor forms please contact (01772) 744148 or email kevin.lonergan@galloways.org.uk, stating on which day you would prefer to walk.

About the Walk

	Map of the Walk

The Queens Appointed Guide, Mr Cedric Robinson has been leading walks across Morecambe Sands for almost 40 years and is renowned across the country as having led thousands upon thousands of people safely across the once dangerous crossing. Though even today, serious problems can occur if the Queen's Guide is not present.

The 8 mile walk is one of the country's most popular and scenic, starting from the pretty and picturesque promenade of Arnside starting at 11.45am and taking around 3 hours to complete. Affording plenty of panoramic views of the surrounding Lakeland Hills and those of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Please book early as numbers for the walk are restricted and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Please ensure you read the conditions of entry below

1. Entry is free, though we would like people to be sponsored for the event, donations would be welcome. Special commemorative certificates will be provided for every sponsored person who completes the walk.
   
   
2. A pair of old training shoes, not boots should be worn. Many people walk in bare feet once they reach the sands at White Creek. Please remember that you will have to wade across the Kent Channel (the best part!), so be prepared to get your legs wet!
   
   
3. Refreshments can be brought and eaten before or after the event. There will be NO stops en route.
   
   

Transport maybe arranged from central pickups (dependant on sufficient numbers)

Health and Safety

Please Note. Parts of the 8 mile walk, particularly at the start and finish have difficult terrain, therefore the walk is only suitable for people who are fit and able. The walk is not suitable for children under 6 years of age and the Society cannot take responsibility for any accidents.

One or two ideas of things to bring - Packed Lunch, Protective Sun Creams, Wind Proof Clothing, Towel, Change of Clothes, Sponsor Form, yourself!

	Nearing the Finish at Kents Bank

Fundraising Ideas

When you receive your entry pack, start to collect sponsorship straight away. The more time you have, the more money you can raise. Tell your friends and family about the walk and get them to join in too, make it a family day, which you all can enjoy. Make your first sponsor a good one - others may follow by matching the same amount!

If you are working, put our leaflets and posters in your office and persuade your colleagues to take part or sponsor you! You could even enter as a team and promote your organisation by wearing company sweatshirts. Ask your employer to match what you raise in sponsorship, £pound for £pound.

Due to changes implemented through the government's budget in the year 2000, your sponsorship funds can help us further. For every £1 donated, we can reclaim 28p from the taxman - providing your sponsors are UK taxpayers. It costs nothing, but means that their donation will go even further in support of our work with local blind people. Please do ask your sponsors if they would be willing to add to your kindness - all they must do is complete their name, address and postcode and tick the Gift Aid column on your sponsor form.

It's a Sighted World!

Do we ever wonder how difficult things would be if we had problems with our sight. Losing our sight is probably the thing we fear the most. Not being able to read, see the television, get out and about, most things can become very difficult. HELP is at hand for thousands of people supported by Galloway's.

Galloway's Society for the Blind needs your support to continue providing its services to the blind community of Lancashire and beyond. Wherever help is needed, the Charity does its very best to be there. That is why proceeds from the Cross Bay walk are so important in assisting people on a daily basis.

With your Help, We Can

Please help us with your sponsorship and donations from this year's 2005 Morecambe Bay Walk Appeal. Galloway's requires over £600,000 to continue provide more than 30 services to well over 6,000 people. The following shows additional funds needed to continue some of our projects.

Replacement Fast Copier - £2,000. Each of our fast copier's reproduce over a quarter of a million talking newspapers every year, two of our 8 machines are now very old and need replacing. Please help us to purchase two new machines to help produce local newspapers, magazines and books onto tape which are sent out free of charge to people.

Easy Readers - £300 each. An Easy Reader is a piece of equipment that links to a television set, scanning printed or photographic material. It allows a visually impaired to read their own letters, bills and medication instructions and in turn enable them to lead a more independent lifestyle.

Computers with speech and magnification software - £1,500 each. Specialist speech and magnification software means there is no reason why visually impaired people should be left behind in this technological revolution. Unfortunately, whilst the cost of computers is falling on a daily basis this specialist software remains expensive. We run a number of computer courses and would like to be able to offer people the chance to practise their new skills by loaning them a computer and enabling them to access the Internet.

Talking Newspaper - £50 per person per year. We produce over 20 different weekly and monthly newspapers on tape, our titles include the Lancashire Evening Post, Garstang Courier, Methodist Recorder, Catholic Voice, Leyland Guardian to name a few. These tapes enable visually impaired people to keep up to date with local news and events and help them to remain part of their community.

Children's Club - £2,500 per year. Our Children's club meets on a fairly regular basis and children are given the opportunity to take part in activities and trips out that are expensive or not an option for some families. Both children and parents benefit by making new friends and supporting each other. We want to be able to continue our children's club long into the future.