This year’s Harbour2Harbour Walk has broken the records with more than 300 people taking part in the charity event on Sunday.
The sponsored walk saw 319 people walk from Castletown harbour, along the coastal path to Glen Chass and on to The Howe before joining St Mary’s Road and finishing at the Cosy Nook in Port Erin.
The money raised from the event, which was organised by Southern Community Initiatives (SCI), will help a number of local community projects, including Men in Sheds, Southern Befrienders and SPort Erin.
SCI, based at Thie Rosien on Castletown Road in Port Erin, aims to tackle isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through community projects and activites such as art and creative writing projects, crafts, bridge, board games, yoga, meditation and a social fitness group.
The total amount is still being counted but organisers hope the final total will exceed £3,600, which was the grand total raised last year.
Janet Bridle, SCI project co-ordinator and Harbour2Harbour organiser, said: ‘We were delighted to have such a tremendous, record-breaking turnout, and spoilt by the fantastic weather. The feedback from everyone who took part was very positive, it seems all the walkers really enjoyed this community event.
‘We’re still counting up the amount raised, but are hopeful it will be more than the amazing amount raised in 2015.
‘I’d like to thank our fantastic sponsor Dandara, which has supported us throughout the campaign, as well as Rushen Ambulance for the continued support, Green Mann Spring water for the water tables, the Tap Room in Castletown for opening early and feeding the walkers before the start, and the Cosy Nook Café in Port Erin for providing grub at the end.
‘Also, a huge thank you to all the volunteers, the Nomads for their marshalling and everyone who took part, supporting community initiatives in the south and helping the event grow yet again.’