A WRITER is swapping his pen for his walking shoes as he’s taking on a 65-mile hike across the Suffolk Coastal Path to raise funds for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
The challenge, being complete over 72 hours, will see Richard Negus traipse on slippery cross-country paths, sand and shingle beaches, exposed roots and undergrowth.
Richard’s journey will start on Friday May 3rd at Felixstowe where he will walk 31 miles before stopping overnight in Dunwhich Heath.
He will then start the second part of his walk and cross the finish line at the south pier in Lowestoft 34 miles later on Sunday May 5th.
Joining him along the way are his wife Clare, cocker spaniel Mabel and GWCT’s Lizzie Herring and Roger Draycott.
Richard was planning on running the distance but broke his toe while training before Christmas so has had to change his plans.
“I was looking forward to running and the injury has certainly thrown a spanner in the works, said Richard, who lives in Finningham, Suffolk.
“However, I’m recovering well so being able to walk it with my family will be just as good.”
Richard, who writes for Shooting Times and does landscape gardening, likes to set himself a fundraising mission, having previously completed the London Marathon and more recently the Northumberland Coastal Path where he raised £2,500 for GWCT’s Action for Curlew Campaign.
He’s hoping to emulate that amount this time round for another highly-threatened species - the grey partridge.
The money raised will help aid the Trust’s works in conserving the popular farmland bird.
This is done though the Partridge Count Scheme (PCS) - a count which started in 1933 and collects information on the annual abundance and breeding success of grey partridges.
It calls on farmers, gamekeepers and land managers to record the numbers they see, and the results will offer a valuable insight into how well your partridges breed, survive and benefit from your habitat and management provision.
Richard, a passionate member of GWCT, added: “The grey partridge is of conservation concern so that’s why I’ve chosen to raise money for GWCT again.
“The funds raised will go towards supporting the GWCT's work in the conservation of the iconic gamebird and will be used to promote the PCS.”
Anyone wishing to join in the coastal path challenge for all, or part of the route, would be welcomed (along with their dogs). Richard is taking the opportunity to litter pick as he goes in a bid to clean up our beautiful, yet fragile, coastlines.
To join Richard, email rnegus71@gmail.com or you can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/suffolkcoastalpath
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk