June 7: The Centenary Trail

The Epping Forest Centenary Trail was my first walk of this year's campaign. It was an experiment to see whether I could still walk after years of lethargy in front of computers.

The Centenary Trail was created in 1977. It links all the surviving sections of Epping Forest, and commemorates the centenary of 1877 Act of Parliament that protected the forest from private developers and preserved it for public enjoyment.

The Trail begins in Manor Park and leads through the Wanstead Flats, past Leytonstone and Walthamstow and through Highams Park before entering Epping Forest. Only the last four miles are genuine forest, but they made the whole walk worthwhile. The Iron Age hillforts at Loughton and Ambresbury Banks are very impressive.

I ended the walk with a stroll around the charming town of Epping. After 18 miles (including the 16 miles of the Trail), my feet were already suffering, but it felt wonderful to be walking again.

Simon's charity walks 2005

The causes

After a few years of lethargy, I have finally decided to return to my long-neglected love of walking to raise money for three brilliant causes:

Dogs for the Disabled trains dogs to help disabled people live life more independently

The Brooke Hospital for Animals provides veterinary treatment for working animals in some of the world’s poorest communities

The Wetnose Campaign is a non-profit organisation that raises money for smaller wildlife and animal rescue centres in the UK and elsewhere


The walks

Until the end of the year, I will walk a minimum of 300 miles (nearly 500 km), including the following trails:

The London Peace Trail (4 miles)
The Epping Forest Centenary Trail (Manor Park - Epping, 16 miles)
St Peters Way (Ongar - Bradwell, 45 miles)
The Essex Way (Epping - Harwich, 81 miles)
The Lea Valley Walk (London - Luton, 49 miles)
The Sirhowy Valley Walk (Newport - Tredegar, 26 miles)
The Usk Valley Walk (Caerleon to Brecon section, 48 miles)
The Long Mynd, Wrekin and Wenlock Edge (c. 30 miles)


Donations

I am covering all my own costs, and NO registration fees, minimum sponsorship targets or anything else will be deducted from the donations. Every penny donated will go straight to the causes.

For online donations to Dogs for the Disabled, visit my JustGiving page

For online donations to the Brooke Hospital, visit my JustGiving page

If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift through the JustGiving website at no cost to you.

For donations by cheque or cash, please email me at
Simon.Niziol@btopenworld.com
and I will arrange to record and collect your donation.