“A few years ago, I walked the Macmillan Cross-Britain Way and it inspired me to develop a long-distance walk to raise money for wildlife.

I've always had a soft spot for Cheshire. I spent my formative years here, so I remember it from those early days. My father, Eric, after whom the walk is named, was chair of the Mid-Cheshire branch of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust from its creation for over 35 years. He was a keen naturalist an early advocate of the concept of ‘wildlife corridors’ to provide a route for wildlife to migrate between nature reserves. This walk is in keeping with his commitment to Cheshire Wildlife Trust and their work.

The walk starts in Hoylake and goes to Shining Tor, so it shows the two extremes of the West and East points of Cheshire. You pass through lots of interesting places along the way which are great for wildlife. There are some terrific viewpoints. We’ve just passed one today at Thurstaston Common but there are plenty others such as Old Pale in Delamere and Shining Tor itself. You also pass some superb nature reserves, like Swettenham. But there’s also whole raft of stuff that is so small, that you don’t see it. But there’s also a whole raft of stuff that is so small, that you don’t see it. But it’s there, and it’s important. That’s part of life, isn’t it? As people, we’re an aspect of it, but people alone aren't life, aren’t a planet. We need nature.

I am absolutely delighted that Cheshire Wildlife Trust has chosen to walk the Eric Thurston Wildlife Way as a fundraiser this year. I encourage everyone who reads this to sponsor the walk to help them reach their target!"

The Eric Thurston Wildlife Way is a 90-mile walk across Cheshire, with a focus on wildlife. It is named after Eric Thurston, a founding member of Cheshire Wildlife Trust and was developed by his son, John.

The walk is a celebration of Cheshire and it's wildlife and runs from Hoylake on the Wirral coast, to Shining Tor in the Peak District.

It passes through a number of our natures reserves, as well as areas managed by local authorities, the RSPB, the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust.

Find out more about the route

Sponsor our Big Wild Walk

Our Big Wild Walk was not a public event. However, if you'd like to do your own walk, you can sign up for free and start fundraising.

The Big Wild Walk takes place from Monday the 21^st October to Sunday 3^rd November 2024. It’s half-term for schools and a great time for all ages to enjoy the great outdoors! When you sign up you'll receive a digital fundraising pack which includes a sponsorship sheet, distance tracking form and social media posts.

If you'd like to raise money for Cheshire Wildlife Trust by doing the Eric Thurston Wildlife Way, you can find out more about the route here.

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Sponsor our Big Wild Walk

The Big Wild Walk is the Wildlife Trusts' annual fundraising challenge. It takes place from Monday the 21^st October to Sunday 3^rd November 2024. It’s half-term for schools and a great time for all ages to enjoy the great outdoors!

Supporters can create their own challenge with the aim of covering 30 kilometres in any way that suits them. Whether you want to take on one big hike or take it at your own walking pace over the two weeks, the only competition is against yourself. And if you prefer to conquer step counts from the comfort of your living room, don’t worry because we’ll bring the wildlife to you!  

You'll receive a digital fundraising pack which includes a sponsorship sheet, distance tracking form and social media posts.

The funds raised through sponsorship of Cheshire's Big Wild Walk will support wildlife recovery in Cheshire and contribute to our mission to protect 30% of the UK’s land and sea for nature by 2030. 

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Sponsor our Big Wild Walk

The funds raised will support wildlife recovery and contribute to our mission to protect 30% of the UK’s land and sea for nature by 2030. 

Nature in the UK is broken. We are one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

For wildlife to truly begin to recover we need to make space for it – at least 30% of the land and sea across the UK must be protected, connected and managed for nature by 2030. This target is what we’re calling 30 by 30. In Cheshire 30% would be approximately 90,000ha of land. Currently only 5% of land in our region is looked after in this way so there is still a way to go.  

Find out more about 30 by 30

Sponsor our Big Wild Walk

The walk passes through, or goes past, 13 of our nature reserves:

• Red Rocks Marsh
• Cleaver Heath
• Hockenhull Platts
• Black Lake
• Hatchmere
• Crown Farm 
• Abbotts Moss
• Marbury Reedbed
• Poors Wood
• Salterford Farm
• Swettenham Valley
• Danes Moss
• Trentabank

The walk also passes through areas managed by local authorities, the RSPB, the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust.

Sponsor our Big Wild Walk

Our Big Wild Walk took place on Thursday 24th October. We were posting updates throughout the day on our social media channels, showchasing the amazing nature and wild spaces the team paseds along the way.

Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

Sponsor our Big Wild Walk