THOUSANDS of charity-minded people are expected to pound the seafront route between Seacombe and Thurstaston Country Park for the 28th Wirral Coastal Walk today.

The event, organised by North Wirral Rotary Club, starts at 11am.

Those taking part follow a 15-mile path through Hoylake, West Kirby and Caldy before finishing at Thurstaston Country Park.

There will be checkpoints along the way, where walkers can take refreshments.

Last year's event attracted more than 3,500 entrants who raised around £350,000 for various charitable organisations. 

Registration for today's event takes place from 8.30am-11am At Seacombe Ferry.

North Wirral Rotary Club’s founder member, the late David Perrin came up with the idea of a community project designed to enable local charitable organisations and individuals to raise money for the charity or good cause of their own choice.

He felt the club could organise a Sponsored Walk, providing all the necessary facilities for participants to raise money, through personal sponsorship, in support of their chosen 'good cause'.

With the full support of members, the first 'Charity Walk' got under way in the autumn of 1986.
 

Around 300 people took part the following year and it has gone from strength-to-strength.

Today's coastal walk forms part of the month-long Wirral Walking Festival featuring more than 100 walks catering for all ages and abilities.

Events that have already taken place included a walk in the grounds of Flaybrick Cemetery, Birkenhead focussing on many of the cemetery’s military graves and led by Wirral History and Heritage Association.

Brochures are  available across the borough in libraries, One Stop Shops, visitor centres and other tourist attractions.

Details are also available on line by visiting the Visit Wirral website - http://www.visitwirral.com/whats-on/festivals/wirral-walking-festival