Visit: www.walkfortomorrow.org

The 'Walk for Tomorrow' finished outside Durham Cathedral at 4:15PM on Thursday 24^th September, 2009.

The total distance walked over the 10 days of the Walk was: 146.64 miles

Total funds including pledges and cheques received to date: £14,195

Thank you

Donations by cheque made payable to Tomorrow's People can be sent to: Lord Bates, Venture House, Aykley Heads, Durham. DH1 5TS (be sure to confirm if you are a UK taxpayer so that we can claim basic rate tax relief on your behalf).

One of the hidden consequences of the current recession is the impact it is having on the youth unemployment: In the north-east of England youth unemployment has risen by 105.8% over the past year (July 2008-July 2009) and that trend is set to continue as school leavers and graduates enter the jobs market.

A few months ago I had the honour of being appointed a Patron of Tomorrow's People in Newcastle, a charity which specialises in helping young people get jobs or get the training necessary to gain employment www.tomorrows-people.org.uk. They have a tremendous track record of success achieved through an inspiring 12 week programme called 'Working it Out'.

Faced with a growing problem, but also a positive opportunity I have decided to undertake a sponsored walk to try and raise funds so that Tomorrow's People can continue to extend the work they are doing in the north east.

The provisional schedule is:

15th September: Holy Island--Belford

16th September: Belford--Beadnell

17th September: Beadnell--Alnwick

18th September: Alnwick--Walkworth

19th September: Walkworth--Ashington

20th September: Ashington--Blyth

21st September: Blyth--Tynemouth

22nd September: Tynemouth--Hebburn

23rd September: Hebburn (via Newcastle)--Low Fell

24th September: Angel of the North--Durham Cathedral

Progress on the walk and updates--subject to Internet access--can be followed via:

www.walkfortomorrow.org

I realise that these are tough times economically, but if you were able to offer any support for this walk, or forward details to others who might be in a position to do so, then I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael

 

Lord Bates

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

NOTES:

Michael Bates, Member of the House of Lords, Shadow Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, former Member of the House of Commons, Paymaster General and Sponsor Minister for the North East. Michael was born in Gateshead in 1961, represented the Langbaurgh Parliamentary Constituency on Teesside in the House of Commons from 1992 to 1997 and now lives in Durham.

The route of the sponsored walk will be from Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island to Durham Cathedral a distance of approx. 100 miles taking in some of the most iconic landmarks of the ancient and modern Kingdom of Northumbria, including:

Lindisfarne Priory the location where St Cuthbert's book--the Lindisfarne Gospels were written in AD 700;

St Cuthbert's Cave--reputed resting place of Cuthbert's coffin when fleeing the Vikings 

Bamburgh Castle conquered by Ida in 547AD, founder of the Northumbrian royal family. Museum of Grace Darling lifeboat herorine.

Howick Hall the home of Prime Minister Chales, Earl Grey who was the author of the Great reform Act of 1832 which abolished the ‘rotten boroughs’ and substantially extended the franchise to towns and cities;

Alnwick Castle & Gardens the seat of the Duke of Northumberland and home to the spectacular gardens which are now one of the top tourist attractions in the north;

Bede Academy in Blyth a new all-age academy which opens in September 2009 and of which Lord Bates is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors;

Seaton Delaval Hall  was built by playright and architect Vanburgh for the Delaval family and is currently the subject of a campaign to buy it for The National Trust.

Tynemouth Priory founded in 7^th century and burial place of King/St Oswin of Northumbria;

Wallsend the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall constructed by Emperor Hadrian in AD122 to protect against attacks on Roman Britain by Pictish Tribes

Bede’s World and St Paul’s Church, Jarrow, home of the Venerable Bede ‘The Father of English History’ who was a monk at Jarrow from AD690 to AD735. Michael Bates is a supporter of MonkwearmouthJarrow’s bid for World heritage Site.

The Sage Centre in Gateshead designed by Norman Foster and one of the finest concert halls in Europe;

Tomorrow’s People (Newcastle) visiting the charity working with hard to reach young people in Newcastle and helping them find jobs. Lord Bates is a Patron of the charity.

The Angel of the North Antony Gormley’s iconic public sculpture in Gateshead;

The Parish Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le--Street where the body of St Cuthbert was laid for 113 years and was the site of the where a translation in (Northumbrian) English was inserted into Saint Cuthbert’s book-the gospels making it the oldest surviving English gospels.

Durham Cathedral founded in AD 1083 and resting place for the remains of St Cuthbert, Venerable Bede and St Oswald and from where the Lindisfarne Gospels were removed in the early 16^th century ending up in the British Library.

I was grateful to the legendary Chris Kilkenny Northumbrian historian (and my former history teacher!) for advising on the historical accuracy of the decriptions of the route.

The brilliant 'Walk for Tomorrow' logo incorporating the Cross of St Cuthbert (Cuthbert was Abbot of Lindisfarne) was designed by Judith Garbutt of www.largocreative.com .

The idea of naming the walk 'Walk for Tomorrow' was the brainwave of Mark Easby of www.betterbrandagency.com in Stokesley, North Yorkshire. 

Hilary Florek of Hilary Florek PR http://www.hilaryflorekpr.co.uk/ is generously supporting the walk through media and PR advice tel: 07831 552 624.

Printing support has been generously provided by W H Forster (Printers) Limited http://www.whforster.com/

For further information about Tomorrow's People contact: Fiona Grieg fgreig@tomorrows-people.co.uk