The South Pennine Challenge 2007!!

After days & days of rain in May 2006, it managed to hold of just long enough for the hardy walkers who braved the rugged moors of the Calder Valley to take part in the second South Pennine Challenge and raise money for the Community Foundation for Calderdale.

An impressive turnout of almost 200 prepared to take on the challenges, organised by the Foundation. Organiser Steve Duncan, who took part said: "I am so proud of everyone involved in the event... the trekkers, the army of volunteers and of course the very generous sponsors - Marshalls plc, Southdale Homes the Halifax, Abbey Well- along with generous donations from McVities & Nestle. The support of Calderdale MBC Community Services, Raynet Amateur Radio, St John's Ambulance and the Calder Valley Rescue Team were all crucial to the success of the event."

2007 will see a new element added to the Challenge- the Halifax Midi Challenge - this will be a 25 mile walk along the same route. After listening to walkers from the previous challenges, the Foundation felt that we needed to include a walk that wasn't as much as a challenge as 50 miles but that offered more of a challenge than 12 miles.

Walkers on the Marshalls Maxi Challenge will start their 50 mile trek at Mytholmroyd Community Centre. They will then set off to Baitings Dam, on to the White House Pub, over to Bellholme Sports Centre in Walsden, take the long trek over to Sharneyford before reaching Todmorden High School (half-way) and a well deserved rest and hot meal! From Todmorden walkers will climb to Stiperden Bar, and then take a fairly remote route over the hills to Walshaw Dean, from there over to Cock Hill, and further climb over to Ovenden Wind Farm. From the wind farm you drop steeply down to Jerusalem Farm and then the final leg will see them back to Mytholmroyd Community Centre.

Walkers on the 25 mile Halifax Midi Challenge and the 12 mile Southdale Homes Mini Challenge both set off from Mytholmroyd Community Centre on the same route as the Maxi Challenge and transport will be provided to return walkers back to the community centre.

Certificates will be given to all walkers, with a specially designed slate medal going to those that completed the challenges.

Another addition to the challenge this year is patron Ursula Holden-Gill. Ursula set up home in Calderdale in February 2005 when she undertook the role of terminal cancer sufferer Alice Dingle, on ITV's Emmerdale. Originally from Blackburn, Lancashire, Ursula has worked as an actor since she graduated from her MA Course in Contemporary Theatre Practice in 1998; most notably as Alice on Emmerdale and as Carol on the BAFTA nominated Channel 4 series Teachers.

She is a keen sportswoman and regularly represents the Leukaemia Research Fund as part of their marathon and half marathon running team and also enjoys fell walking with her Cairn Terrier, Poppy. Recently, Ursula attained the title of Best Soap actress at the TV Choice Awards in September and was a final contender for the title of Most Popular British Actress at the National Television Awards last month.

Ursula will embark on the South Pennine Challenge 50 mile Marshalls Maxi Challenge next May & is honoured to be the patron of the event.