Organised annually by our friends and supporters in the Rotary Club of Darwen, the Darwen Tower Trudge takes in a delightful route around the reservoirs and hills of Tockholes, Roddlesworth and Darwen, including the moorland heights of Lyons Den, Darwen Moor and of course Darwen Tower itself, otherwise known as the Jubilee Tower.

This is a major event for the Rotarians of Darwen, who provide all the organisation, route maps, marshals and ’sweep team’.

A great many local organisations and individuals take part in this event gaining sponsorship for their efforts, with this year young teenager Amber Gibson, Rose Queen at St. Cuthburt’s Church in Darwen, taking part, raising money for her two Rose Queen charities, ourselves and the RNLI. (We believe Amber raised at least £160.00 today, for other news on Amber’s support of the team, see website ’news’ articles dated 15th September 2009 and 16th February 2010)

Amber Gibson and her retinue pictured at the Darwen Tower Trudge

The start time of 08.45hrs was met with very warm weather and sunny skies, which as the morning progressed turned increasingly warmer, making the going hot & sweaty for the 136 official walkers, their numbers swelled as usual by many others accompanying the ’official’ walkers.

Our team’s role, as in previous years was to provide on scene standby rescue cover, and to this end 20x team members and team supporter Paul Lawrence in our four Team Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances and our Minibus, kept watch over the sponsored walkers progress, including small parties of team members walking route sections.

Hopefully this year’s event has once again raised a considerable sum of money for local charities.

The team is pleased to support this local to Darwen event and we look forward to a return to equally sunny weather next year which in most previous years thankfully graces this well organised event.

The team would also like to thank the staff from the kiosk at Sunnyhurst Woods for the kindness and hospitality shown to team members today!