A mother and daughter have completed a 75-mile walk to raise money for the trust aiming to purchase Waddow Hall.
The hall, near Clitheroe, once an activity centre for the Lancashire Girl Guides, has been earmarked by the national Girlguiding association as one of five centres that will have to be sold as it can no longer afford its upkeep.
The Waddow Hall Trust was set up last summer as a charitable company with the aim of raising around £5 million to buy the centre.
Gill and Jenni Bates, originally from Blackburn, but now living on the Wirral and in Staffordshire respectively, set off on a 75-mile, six-day walk to raise money for the trust, starting in Birkenhead and finishing at Waddow Hall on Saturday (March 2).
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Gill said: “It was tough in places.
"Friday was particularly tough walking through Blackburn in the snow and the rain. We arrived in Mellor absolutely dripping wet and covered in mud.
READ MORE: Waddow Hall up for sale to help secure Girlguiding future
“We took a lot of advice from people on the way about the route we were taking.
“We enjoyed ourselves, we met some really lovely people. It’s not about us, it’s not about the walk, it’s not about the fundraising – it’s about building a community to sustain Waddow going forward.”
Gill, 62,and Jenni, 35, have so far raised £1,940 for the trust, doing their bit to help towards securing the hall’s future.
Gill continued: “What we need is for it to be sold to the Waddow Hall Trust.
"They’re going to open it up so it’s not just a guiding place, but it’s open for the wider community and for other community groups.
“The focus is going to change from being specifically Girlguiding to the wider community, so it’s available for the whole of Lancashire.”
READ MORE: Ribble Valley MP calls for cash support for Waddow Hall appeal
The hall went on sale for a guide price of more than £3m last month, with estate agent Savills describing it as a “unique opportunity” to acquire the hall with a 178-acre estate.
Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans urged people back in December to donate to the appeal to raise money to save the hall.
He said: “Having visited myself I have seen first hand the wonderful opportunities they offer to young people and others.
“I have absolute confidence in them and I would urge everyone who cares about the community to look into their plans and give generously to this campaign.”
At the same time, Janet Taylor, chair of trustees at The Waddow Hall Trust, said: “We can, and will, bring the Waddow estate to the community.
“We are strong, determined, and capable.
“Support us and make this happen – together we can achieve anything.”
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