This year’s Harbour2Harbour Walk will take place on Sunday May 15th, and the organisers are delighted to welcome a new title sponsor - the Dandara Group.

The sponsored walk, now in its third year, is set to be bigger and better than ever, with hopes of increasing the number of walkers by almost 40% to 350 and beating last year’s fundraising total of ?3,600.

Award-winning developer Dandara was delighted to get involved in supporting the walk, organised by Southern Community Initiatives, as the money raised supports a number of important local community projects, including Men in Sheds, Southern Befrienders and SPort Erin.

This year’s route will see walkers leave Castletown harbour at 10am, head 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.

Event Co-ordinator Janet Bridle, said: ‘As we prepare for the third Harbour2Harbour walk, we’re really excited about what promises to be the biggest and best event yet. We’re hoping for more than 350 people to join the walk, and help raise funds for these important community projects.

‘This really is a fun event for the community, with a chance to enjoy a lovely morning walking through a beautiful part of the Island, with stunning views of the sea and countryside, while raising money. It’s open to all, so we hope to see lots of people on the day, and we’ll be giving walking tips on our Facebook page to help them prepare.’

Based at Thie Rosien on Castletown Road in Port Erin, SCI is home to several initiatives including community art and creative writing projects, crafts, bridge, board games, yoga, meditation, a thriving social fitness group and the very successful Men in Sheds project. The aim of the Hub is to tackle isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through community projects, as well as promoting volunteering, inclusive communities, and providing a place for socialising and encouraging community collaboration and activities.

Dandara Managing Director Seamus Nugent added: ‘When the opportunity to support the Harbour2Harbour Walk came up, we were absolutely delighted to get involved. We have been very impressed with how the organisers have developed the event over the past two years, and are pleased to be able to help it continue to grow this year.

‘Our company is committed to the community and keen to support local initiatives and projects like those which will benefit from the money raised during the walk. SCI offers an amazing range of community projects at Thie Rosien in Port Erin. Most importantly, SCI is working to tackle isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through thoughtful and well-researched community projects.

‘We are equally inspired by the work of Southern Befrienders and Sport Erin in the community, and are proud to be able to help these important local initiatives.’

To enter or find out more about the event, please email H2Hreg@hubclubsci.im, call Janet on 838180 or visit www.hubclubsci.im.

You can also stay up-to-date with the latest news via Facebook www.facebook.com/harbour2harbour. 

Parish Walk winner Robbie Callister has been a staunch supporter of the event since it was launched.

He said: ‘The Harbour to Harbour walk is such a well organised, sociable and friendly walk that caters for all ages and abilities, while supporting a very worthy cause. I hope it all goes well on the day, with another big turn out and perfect weather.’
Rushen MHK Phil Gawne, the Infrastructure Minister and the SCI Chairman, added: ‘I am pleased that this year's H2H will be better than ever and hope that more funds will be raised for the Southern Community Initiative's work in helping isolated and vulnerable people in our community live better lives.

‘SCI has been expanding its work over the past year and now provides activities and companionship to hundreds of people in the south. Please get involved in H2H either as sponsors or participants and make this important fund raising event a great success!’

Photo - Dandara Senior Marketing Executive Angela Beresford (centre) with representatives of the charities supported by the Harbour2Harbour walk, including SCI Project Co-ordinator and event organiser Janet Bridle (fourth from right).