Peel L&P and The Christie Charity have announced more than £47,000 has been raised from the first Bridgewater Way Walk.

Over 450 walkers took part in the five-mile challenge to raise a fantastic £47,467 to support the services provided by Manchester’s world-class cancer centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The event which was organised by family-run regeneration business Peel L&P and delivered in partnership with The Christie, was the biggest charity event to ever take place along The Bridgewater Canal, in its 260-year history.

The walk was a true celebration of partnership working with the event receiving further support from headline sponsors Anchor Group Services and Securitas.

Starting at Trafford Palazzo, plenty of themed entertainment was planned to hype up the walkers who were taking on the challenge. Fitness instructors got the walkers warmed up; glitter artists painted themed tattoos and the Christie bear mascot appeared in plenty of pre-walk selfies.

The walk also brought together the Bridgewater Canal boating community.  Widely considered and recognised as the first true canal in England; The Bridgewater Canal is a very popular leisure waterway with many cruising boaters. The cruising community lined the canal with their boats decorated with themed balloons and bunting and plenty of the cruisers volunteered to hand out refreshments and kept the spirits high of the walkers by playing music and cheering on crowds.

The event finished in style with plenty of festival flare. The steel drum band brought the carnival to Castlefield, entertaining finishers of the walk whilst they collected their medals, enjoyed refreshments from independent street food operators and had fun whilst taking part in classic carnival games.

The funds raised through the Bridgewater Way Walk will go towards supporting The Christie’s pioneering Bloods Closer to Home Service.

Taking a blood sample is vital for patients to check how their organs are functioning and their protein levels which can also act as markers to see how the patient is responding to treatment. The blood sampling process takes less than a couple of minutes, however some patients have had to do a two-hour roundtrip to get to The Christie’s Withington site.

The Bloods Closer to Home Service allows patients to book their own appointments online at a time that suits them and in a location that is convenient for them, which drastically cuts down travel times which can be draining for patients needing frequent testing on top of undergoing treatment. The service currently operates from 11 convenient locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire; it is funded by The Christie Charity and run by Christie staff.

Anna McIntosh, Corporate Development Manager from The Christie Charity said: “Thank you so much to Peel L&P and everyone that supported The Bridgewater Way Walk.

“Supporting The Christie charity and the Bloods Closer to Home service means a huge amount and donations made as a result of the event will directly improve services and help us support patients by making treatments more accessible in the surrounding area for many years to come.”

Gail Ball, Project Manager at Peel L&P and who took part in The Bridgewater Way Walk, added: “The Christie is an organisation which is very close to my heart. I was diagnosed with Breast cancer five years ago and I had all my treatment through The Christie Hospital.

“The staff and Oncologists at The Christie made the whole experience less scary for me and were very supportive and professional throughout.

“The Bridgewater Way Walk was fun, well organised and I’m so proud of Peel L&P for supporting such a great charity which means so much to so many.”

Working and Walking together: Headline sponsors announced for the Bridgewater Canal's biggest ever charity event

Anchor Group Services and Securitas have been announced as the headline sponsors of The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Raising money for The Christie’s pioneering Bloods Closer to Home Service, the event which has been created by Peel L&P - the custodians of The Bridgewater Canal; is being delivered in partnership with The Christie Charity and is set to be the biggest ever charity event to take place on the Bridgewater Canal in its 260-year history.

As the largest single site cancer centre in Europe, The Christie treats more than 60,000 patients each year. Taking a blood sample is vital for patients to check how their organs are functioning and their protein levels which can also act as markers to see how the patient is responding to treatment. The blood sampling process takes less than a couple of minutes, however some patients have had to do a two-hour roundtrip to get to The Christie’s Withington site. The Bloods Closer to Home Service allows patients to book their own appointments online at a time that suits them and in a location that is convenient for them, which drastically cuts down travel times which can be draining for patients needing frequent testing on top of undergoing treatment. The service currently operates from 11 convenient locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire; it is funded by The Christie Charity and run by Christie staff.

Taking place on Sunday 4th June from 10am, The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie will start at the spectacular Trafford Palazzo which recently became home to the world’s most Instagram-able café – EL&N. Walkers of the 5-mile route will be set off in waves and will get to take in some of Greater Manchester’s famous landmarks which line the historic Bridgewater Canal as well as getting to enjoy pop-up performances, snack stops and surprise entertainment on the day which has been supported through Anchor Group Services and Securitas’ sponsorship of the event.

With over 30 years in the FM landscape, Anchor Group Services specialises in outsourced business solutions, providing security, cleaning property maintenance and car park management at locations throughout the UK. Andrew Harper, Chief Executive Officer at Anchor Group Services said: “Working in lock-step with Peel L&P, it is a privilege to support the Bridgewater Way Walk for The Christie Charity. As a business we are committed to supporting deserving causes, both on a local and national scale, and we cannot think of a more worthy cause. We wish huge luck to everyone taking part!”

Securitas is the world’s leading intelligent protective services partner. Through static, mobile, remote, technology, fire and safety, and risk management solutions we enable our clients to see a different world. Our employees are part of a global community, who live our values of integrity, vigilance and helpfulness and whose purpose is to help make your world a safer place.

Danny Williams, Chief Commercial Officer at Securitas said "As the Chief Commercial Officer of Securitas UK, I am thrilled to be a part of this event, not just as sponsors but as someone who believes in the power of partnerships. Working alongside our client, Peel L&P, and supporting The Christie Charity, we are strengthening our bond with the local community of Manchester. The Bridgewater Canal has a significant place in the history of this area, and it's wonderful to be able to utilise this location to support a worthy cause. “At Securitas, one of our core values is helpfulness, and there's no better way to put it into action than by supporting an organisation that is dedicated to helping those affected by cancer. This event is not just about raising funds, but also about raising awareness and bringing people together. It's a reminder that we can make a positive impact when we work together towards a common goal. I am honoured to be a part of this event and excited to see the impact we can make as a community."

Mark Whittaker, Executive Director at Peel L&P added: “It’s excellent news that Anchor Group Services and Securitas have taken up the opportunity to become the headline sponsors of The Bridgewater Way Walk in Aid of The Christie. “Working in partnership is key to everything we do at Peel L&P and we are looking forward to delivering this event with our partners to support the impactful and meaningful services provided by The Christie for its users. “This event is all about raising as much money as possible for The Christie Charity and we hope to see lots of friends, families and individuals taking part in the walk whilst discovering the beauty and history of The Bridgewater Canal and experiencing the benefits walking and being outside in nature can have on their wellbeing.”

Anna McIntosh, Corporate Development Manager from The Christie Charity said “We are absolutely delighted that Anchor Group Services and Securitas have joined Peel L&P in supporting this fabulous event. Corporate sponsors are an integral part of helping us to achieve our vision to carry out more research, give more people the very best treatment and care, and save even more lives. This type of support means a huge amount to The Christie and funds raised from this event will directly improve services and helps us to support patients by making treatments more accessible for many years to come.”

Strollers who sign up will receive fundraising tips, a sponsorship pack, and a free T-shirt to celebrate participating in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie, as well as a medal once walkers have completed the event. To help with The Christie Charity’s goal to support its bloods closer to home service, the organisers would like to ask everyone who takes part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie to aim to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50. Prior to the walk there will be a variety of entertainment hosted at Trafford Palazzo and the party atmosphere will continue for walkers who complete the walk in Castlefield with more music, street food and drinks.

How to sign up and take part

You can sign up now to take part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie on Sunday 4th June by visiting the website here: https://www.bridgewaterwaywalk.co.uk

Sign up prices are £15 per adult, £8 per child under 16, £38 for a family (two adults, two children) and £65 for a team of five adults.

If you would like to become an official corporate sponsor of the event, please email the-christie.appeal.companies@nhs.net

Walk this way! Peel L&P and The Christie Charity announce brand new walking challenge along The Bridgewater canal

It's time to get those steps in with Peel L&P and team Christie for The Bridgewater Canal’s biggest ever charity event to take place in its 260-year history.

Peel L&P and The Christie charity are encouraging people across Greater Manchester to get up and out in the fresh air for a canal side stroll to raise money to support the services provided by Manchester’s world-class cancer centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie will start at the spectacular Trafford Palazzo on Sunday 4th June. Walkers of the 5-mile route will get to enjoy some of Greater Manchester’s most famous sites during the route which line the historic Bridgewater Canal whilst fundraising for The Christie charity.

With plenty of space and accessible walkways along The Bridgewater Canal, Peel L&P (who own and operate The Bridgewater Canal), and The Christie charity are hoping for more than 500 walkers to step out and stroll to raise tens of thousands of pounds in aid of The Christie charity. All abilities and paces will be welcome to walk.

The money raised through The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie, will support The Christie’s pioneering bloods closer to home service. The service, which is funded by The Christie charity and run by Christie staff, operates from 11 convenient locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

As the largest single site cancer centre in Europe, The Christie treats more than 60,000 patients across the North West each year. The bloods closer to home service, allows patients to book their own appointments online at a time that suits them, in a location that is convenient for them. Taking a blood sample is vital for patients to check how their organs are functioning and protein levels, which can also act as markers to see how the patient is responding to treatment. The blood sampling process takes less than a couple of minutes, however some patients have had to do a two-hour roundtrip to get to The Christie’s Withington site. The bloods closer to home service drastically cuts down travel times which can be draining for patients needing frequent testing on top of undergoing treatment.

The fundraising walk will take place along the picturesque and historic Bridgewater Canal. Considered to be the first true canal in England, the 39-mile (65km) canal stretches from Runcorn to Leigh and was constructed over 250 years ago by the Duke of Bridgewater to transport coal from his mine at Worsley in Greater Manchester efficiently and cheaply to the rapidly expanding towns and cities nearby. Nowadays, The Bridgewater Canal is one of the best spots in Greater Manchester for wellbeing and is a leisure waterway popular with many cruising boaters.

Notable sites along the walk will include Old Trafford football stadium, Lancashire County Cricket Club’s ground, The Trafford Centre and the Embassy Village site which will be the UK’s largest purpose-built village for rough sleepers, being delivered by Peel L&P and partners. Prior to the walk there will be a variety of entertainment hosted at Trafford Palazzo and the party atmosphere will continue for walkers who complete the walk in Castlefield with more music, street food and drinks.

Strollers who sign up will receive fundraising tips, a sponsorship pack, and a free T-shirt to celebrate participating in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie, as well as a medal once walkers have completed the event. To help with The Christie charity’s goal to support its bloods closer to home service, the organisers would like to ask everyone who takes part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie to aim to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50.

Peter Parkinson, Director Bridgewater Canal at Peel L&P said: “We are really looking forward to delivering this event in aid of The Christie charity. The Bridgewater Canal is a fantastic location with a fascinating history and is regularly enjoyed by many individuals and communities.

“This will be the biggest charity event to ever take place in The Bridgewater Canal’s history and we are excited to welcome so many new visitors to enjoy our accessible space which encourages wellness, connecting with nature and for walkers to see the iconic Manchester skyline from the canal side.”

Anna McIntosh, Major Relationships Development Manager at The Christie charity, said: “We are extremely excited that Peel L&P is creating this event to support The Christie and its Bloods Closer to Home service, This type of support means a huge amount to The Christie and funds raised from this event will directly improve services and helps us to support patients by making treatments more accessible in the surrounding area for many years to come.”

Kate Holland, Head of Charity and Community Initiatives for The Peel Group said: “We are proud supporters of The Christie charity and the pioneering research and support it provides to those affected by cancer. We wanted to create an event utilising one of Peel L&P’s most historic assets, whilst promoting the health benefits of walking and exercising as well as raising much needed funds for such an important charity to our region.

“We hope that lots of families, friends, teams and individuals feel encouraged to take part in this inclusive event, going at their own pace and enjoying the surroundings of the scenic Bridgewater Canal whilst raising much-needed funds for The Christie to support its services.”

You can sign up now to take part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie on Sunday 4th June by visiting the website here: https://www.bridgewaterwaywalk.co.uk

Sign up prices are £15 per adult, £8 per child under 16, £38 for a family (two adults, two children) and £65 for a team of five adults.

If you would like to become an official corporate sponsor of the event, please email the-christie.appeal.companies@nhs.net