"TEAM TRANSTION" STEP OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ABERDEEN

They will accompany long distance walker Karen Churches on one of the countries biggest charity fundraising events – the Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Great Walk 2005 – in association with ITV’s Britain on the Move campaign and TV3 in the Republic of Ireland.

“Team Transition” from Aberdeen will have 2 participants walking all of the Scottish legs – from John O’Groats to Dumfries and Galloway – a total distance of 733km and 26 days walking – starting on 28th April and finishing on 26 May 2005. In addition to the long interconnecting walks – a large group of children and families will participate in the 10K walk at Aberdeen Esplanade on Saturday 14 May 2005.

They will be raising money for Transition Extreme Sports Limited - the new youth based Charity planning to build a year round, indoor, recreation facility for the community at Aberdeen Beach. Aberdeen City Council approved the project in December 2004 and planning permission was granted in March 2005.

On the full walk – Karen Churches will walk from John O’Groats to Lands End, via the Republic of Ireland, in an effort to encourage the nation to get active. Children and adults of all ages and abilities are being invited to support Karen by taking part in one of the many 10k walks along her route and raise money for a registered charity, community group or school project of their choice. The high profile walk is widely supported by the British Prime Minister, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn and a host of prominent celebrities and health and fitness experts.

Neil Stevenson, Chief Executive of Transition who is walking initially with friend Muir Urquhart from John O’Groats to Skelbo (5 days and 136km) and then, later in May, with Mike Richardson (from Edinburgh to Dumfries and Galloway (4 days and 107km) said. “We felt this was the ideal way to raise money and profile Transition’s proposed £2.67m recreation centre at Aberdeen Beach. The centre is all about encouraging kids and adults to stay active and healthy and about giving the regions youth an exciting and much needed, year round “facility with a difference” - helping them avoid the pitfalls of other forms of “negative recreation”. The centre will also be a major visitor attraction for Aberdeen. As a community facility, it is vitally important that the participants themselves are engaged in raising the balance of the funds needed to make the project a reality.”

Neil’s wife, Sheila will also be walking, with friends from Aberdeen to Dundee (4 days and 115km).

Gordon McIntosh, Director of Neighbourhood Services Central, with Aberdeen City Council (who is walking a 32km section in Moray) commented “The Council are fully behind the Transition project, having contributed £1.26m to the cost of the project – and it is fitting that we should also get our walking shoes on, demonstrate our support and raise some further funds towards the overall target. In addition to the community benefits, the centre will act as a “shop window” for the great outdoor sports and activities we have in and around Aberdeen – benefiting lots of small companies involved in the leisure and holiday sector”.

Sheena Anderson, Partner at Anderson, Anderson and Brown, Chartered Accountants (walking a 32km leg in Fife) said “ Aberdeen needs more facilities for the kids and the community in general. The proposed centre provides a range of exciting activities that will really capture the imagination of the kids, such as skateboarding, climbing, music facilities – and I am delighted to support the fundraising effort.”

To take part in the Kellogg’s Cornflakes Great Walk 2005 and for general press enquiries, please contact

Elizabeth Ayto - Media Ambitions Ltd
Tel: 0207 229 6610
Elizabeth@mediaambitions.com
www.great-walk.org