St Michaels Way Charity Walk ..  We are delighted to support and sponser the annual Charity Walk which takes place on the third Sunday in May each year and is organised by The Mounts Bay Rotary Club Penzance Cornwall. The St Michaels Way is an ancient Pilgrims Route through West Cornwall to Santiago de Compostela in Spain which stretches coast to coast and is an amazing scenic walk.   50% of funds raised go to the  The remaining 50% of funds raised will go towards various local causes and Rotary Community and International Charities including Shelter Box, Kids Out, Old Folks Christmas Concert, ACE, Water Aid, Sight-savers to name but a few.  The date is set - SUNDAY 17th MAY 2009 - so remember to ring Jim Blain on 01736 710633 to book your place and make a note in your diaries.

If you decide to do all or part of the walk  we would advise that you use an up-to date OS map of the area - these are available from any good book shop or Tourism Information Centres.

History so far:

2003 raised £7262 - This first walked was linked to Kurt Jackson’s series of paintingsof the St. Michaels Way Pilgrims Route.  An exhibition of this work was shown at the Lemon Tree Gallery Truro in June 2003.  Charities to benefit were Macmillan Cancer Relief and other local and international causes.

2004 raised an estimated £10,760+ and a further £2250 was raised at the Charity Auction in November.  Charities to benefit were THE MERLIN PROJECT (Multiple Sclerosis Support Centre for Cornwall) and other local and international causes.   The Rotary Club of Mounts Bay commission local artist Paul Benyovitts to create a sculpture which was presented to the winner of the Poetry Competition.

2005 the sum raised was approximately £8000. The chosen charity for 2005 was CLIC (supporting children and their families suffering from Cancer and Leukaemia) - 50% of the money raised supported their work in Cornwall and the remaining 50% benefited other local and international causes.

2006 The day started out misty and dull but by the time all walkers had set out across the start line the sun shone brightly and everyone very much enjoyed the walk.  The Charity was Cornwall MS Support plus many other local and international causes. There were 120 walkers, the highest number recorded so far and sponsorship raised was £11,369.

2007 As on previous years SUNDAY 20TH MAY was a great day for walking.  The sun was out but there was some cloud cover and a good breeze going to ensure that walkers kept cool. The Rotary Club earlier in the year had chosen to work with and support the Scout Movement in its Centenary Year (funding for Cornish Scouts to attend the Centenary Celebrations and develop a camping area at Trencom) and other local and international causes.   There were a large number of scouts and their families walking. In fact over 106 registered and we raised £6,301.

2008 Sunday 18th May and after a short pep talk by Daphne Skinner of Radio Cornwall and Mary Murfin of The Precious Lives Appeal (working to provide a children’s hospice in Cornwall) + Ed Bufton President of Mounts Bay Rotary Club, 100+ walkers set out from St Uny Church Lelant through the golf course and onto the South West Coast Path towards St. Ives.  50% of sponsorship donated to other local and international causes The weather was again amazing. Funds raised: £8,897 .. Thanks to all who walked and sponsered walkers.

Well you everyone - the total sum raised to date is £54,839 + Well done everyone.  Keep up the good work by booking your place next year Sunday 16th May 2009.  Remember all you have to do is ring Jim Blain on 01736 710633

ST MICHAELS WAY PILGRIMS WALK - WALK FOR CHARITY -COAST TO COAST TRAIL