Making Our Local Footpaths More Accessible

It is well recognised by the medical profession that walking activities, particularly in the countryside, has both physical and mental benefits. Vitality Villages in Herstmonceux is doing something to help.

The traditional stiles that are to be found along our footpaths often prove an insurmountable barrier for the very people who would benefit most from a country walk. Vitality Villages has started a project to replace broken stiles with ones of a ladder design that has easy steps and firm handholds, built to a tried and trusted design developed by the Monday Group in Mid-Sussex. They cost between £150 and £200 each. The stiles will be built by the local Men's Shed and installed by volunteers. We need money for the purchase of the raw materials.

To further encourage the community of Herstmonceux, Vitality Villages has published eight walk pamphlets for the local area that are available free of charge in a number of outlets. These have proved to be very popular and we need funding to continue publishing them.

Steve is asking for sponsorship as he walks the parish boundary of Herstmonceux. It is approximately 19 miles and will be undertaken over two legs on the 11th and 18th May. Money raised will be split between the two projects.