Skelmersdale Ecumenical Centre walkers dress as pigs on Lake District charity walk

Jun 25 2009 by Nick Moreton, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A TEAM of people from Skelmersdale dressed as pigs to raise funds on a charity walk through the Lake District.

The 19-strong team from the Ecumenical Centre on Northway walked a total of 10 miles in last weekend’s “Lap the Lakes” event, organised to raise funds for the charity Christian Aid.

The circular walk started in the grounds of Rydal Hall Retreat Centre, took in Rydal Water and Grasmere and ended back at Rydal Tea Shop, with the ‘pigs’ completing the challenge in around four hours.

The Ecumenical Centre’s Rev Mick Neal said: “It was a great day out and an opportunity for us to show our support for Christian Aid and the people of Nicaragua.

“Being in fancy dress meant that we were a great talking point for passers-by and some even stopped us to ask what it was all about!

“We hope our contribution to the event helped to raise awareness of Christian Aid’s work, as well as giving much needed financial support to people in need.”

A pig costs £27 at Christian Aid’s Pet Aid wesbite which allows well wishers to buy farm animals and useful equipment for people in the third world.

Christian Aid volunteer Chris Cookson, who organised the event, said: “The walk was really good fun, with people from ages 14 to 70 taking part.

“The pig costumes were fantastic and the Skelmersdale team was a joy to be with.

“It’s great when people are so enthusiastic in their support for Christian Aid.”

The event is expected to raise £1,500 to support Christian Aid’s ongoing work with vulnerable communities across Asia, Africa and Latin America.