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 traditionally take part in this event gaining sponsorship for their efforts, with considerable sums of money being raised for local, regional and national charities.

The start time of 09.00rs was met with this year with relatively cold and wet weather, which no doubt put off many of the intended walkers, plus with other similar local events clashing this year with this event, resulted in only a small (But nevertheless enthusiastic) number of forty seven walkers turning up to take part in the event. (Usually over 150x walkers turn up)

Our team’s role, as in previous years was to provide on scene standby rescue cover, and to this end 22x team members in our five current 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 Darwen event and we look forward to a return to more usual sunny weather next year which in most previous years thankfully graces this well organised event!