65 miles charity walk

BOATS, bishops and bridges all had a part to play during a 65 miles walk from Blackburn Cathedral to Chester Cathedral by a team from Chester and Blackburn-based Adoption Matters Northwest.

The five days walk along the Leeds & Liverpool and Shropshire Union canals from Blackburn to Chester was organised to raise awareness of the 500 children from the North West who are in care and desperate for the opportunity to have a new life with a new family.

4,000 children in care

Throughout the UK, there are 4,000 children in care, some of whom will never receive a single enquiry from prospective adopters.

The Adoption Matters Northwest team was given a send off from Blackburn Cathedral by local Bishop, Rt Revd Nicholas Reade and joined the canal at bridge No102.

At Burscough there was a surprise visit and some welcome encouragement from Burnley Bishop and canal boat enthusiast, the Rt Revd John Goddard. He helped unveil a promotional banner on the 70ft Charmaine, operated by young people's charity, Care Afloat.

National Waterways Museum

After reaching the end of the canal in Liverpool, the final leg of the journey took the walkers from National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port to Chester along the Shropshire Union canal.

Adoption information events were staged at various points along the route, thanks to many supporting organisations including the White Bear Marina Cafe, Adlington near Chorley; Buscough Wharf near Wigan, the Vinea Wine Bar, Albert Docks, Liverpool and Chester Harley-Davidson and Motorrad, Ellesmere Port.

Fantastic support

Adoption Matters Northwest Chief Executive Norman Goodwin comments:

"The support that we have received has been absolutely fantastic. We've met so many fantastic people from all walks of life during our journey, many of whom attended our free information events held at various venues along the canal, where they were able to discuss the adoption process with our team."

The team walked 65 miles in total, with each mile representing one of the children Adoption Matters Northwest placed last year with a loving and stable family. http://www.adoptionmattersnw.org