ADVENTUROUS village cricketers have unveiled plans for a sponsored walk to the home of cricket in a rerun of a major fundraising event from a quarter of a century ago.

The original walk to Lord’s by Tattenhall Cricket Club members raised £3,000 for club funds.

It is hoped that sum can be increased to more than £10,000 in 2011, with the club pledging at least 25% of all money will go to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

A sub-committee has been set up to organise the October venture which is in aid of further ground improvements at Tattenhall’s impressive HQ, which already hosts Cheshire county fixtures.

The walk from the Cheshire village to Lord’s in St John’s Wood, London, will take place along similar lines to the one from February 1986.

Members will again trek in 10-mile stages but the roadway route is being replaced by one following the country’s canal system.

This will increase the distance from 183 miles to more than 200 but the towpaths are considered a safer option – particularly as the club is hoping for a big involvement from its thriving junior membership.

Unlike last time, when walkers hot-footed it through the night on their journey south, the walk will also be restricted to daytime hours and will take a week, instead of three days, to complete.

Club life member Mike Reece is heading the five-man sub-committee meticulously planning the event. The group also includes club vice-chairman Alex Sandland, under-11s team manager Ray Hunt plus first-team players John Hope and Gary Forster.

Reece is one of half a dozen veterans of the original walk ready to put their walking boots back on for the week-long adventure from October 22-29.

He said: “The event of 25 years ago was wonderful and brought the whole club together. The person who thought it all up was Dave Wilson, the chairman of the club and past headmaster of Tarvin Primary School.

“We had about 35 walking last time and in the back of my mind, I’ve got a target this time of 75-100.

“Twenty five years ago, a lot of us did more than one section – either two in one go or we’d do 10 miles and move 100 miles further down the route and do another 10. I think there are people who are going to do the same this year.

“I know of one volunteer who is going to do the whole walk.”

The event has already generated much interest in the village and it is hoped other sections of Sport Tattenhall, of which the cricket club is part, will participate.

Reece added: “Airbus are letting us have the use of their mini-bus for the week of the walk.

“This is fantastic and allows us to cater for those who require transport assistance, especially the younger walkers.

“We believe we are going to have the support of Tattenhall Marina, who are offering us two, possibly three, barges on the canal to help with food and accommodation.”

Tattenhall CC chairman Mel Dobson said: “We have one of the finest grounds in the county, which has been recognised by Cheshire now using the ground for their representative matches.

“But with that comes the need to continually improve and maintain the facilities.

“One of the improvements that we need in the future is to build a new, bigger possibly electronic scorebox. Raising a five-figure sum may allow us to do this.

“Then, of course, we are also donating 25% to the wonderful cause of Macmillan nurses.”

Anyone who wants get involved in the walk and potential sponsors can contact Mike Reece, tel 01829 770413 or email mike@rmrbusiness.co.uk, Alex Sandland tel 01928 576056 (asandland@butcher-barlow.co.uk) or Ray Hunt, tel 01829 770186 (ray2hunt@googlemail.com).