MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Ellesmere Port are encouraging people from the town to make a healthy start to 2008 by joining them on a sponsored walk on New Year’s Day along the Shropshire Union Canal.

Starting at the National Waterways Museum at 11am, the finishing point will be the locks at Tower Wharf, Chester, by the Telford’s Warehouse pub, although there are exit points along the route for those who cannot make the full distance.

Every £5 raised in sponsorship will be credited into a free draw with the top prize being a meal for two at the Mill Hotel and Spa, Chester. Tea, coffee, bacon butties and other refreshments will be supplied.

In the past five years, the Ellesmere Port club has helped the 21st Century Child charity to collect over 100,000 shoeboxes filled with small gifts by British children, and assisted in delivering them to children in the former Eastern bloc countries.

During 2007, members raised funds to buy 10 wheelchairs to assist disabled people in Africa, sponsored individuals with overseas projects and helped local communities in activities, ranging from taking children on a day to Chester Zoo, entertaining stroke victims and carers, and holding a blood pressure day for shoppers.

They packed bags in supermarkets to raise funds, and on Friday, December 14 sponsored a carol concert, organised by Sharon Vernon from the Education Department, attended by more than 150 local children, teachers and the mayor at the Civic Hall.

They were back in the town the next day to firefighters who were raising funds for the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund.

On February 2, Rotary arranged a rock ‘n’ roll and blues night at the Civic Hall.

Anyone interested in Rotary can find out more by contacting David Greaves on 339 4994 or George Martin on 01928 724646.

To help Rotary estimate the numbers for the walk, e-mail slambo@supanet.com, or visit www.ribi.org/clubs/homepage.asp?ClubID=1079.