Walkers take strides to raise money

Volunteers and charities took to the streets of Petersfield on Saturday to carry out the 2021 Charity Walk for Peace. 

The annual fundraiser is organised by East Hampshire District Council and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association to help local good causes. 

The event was cancelled in 2020 and this year’s event was smaller in scale, but organisers were very happy with the day. 

Around 50 walkers completed the course from Penns Place, through Petersfield town centre and back again to raise awareness and much-needed money for seven charities. 

Cllr Julie Butler, EHDC Deputy Leader, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to put the walk on again this year, especially after the disappointment of last year. 

“We have supported as many charities as we can and we will hopefully have raised a nice sum of money for them. After the difficulties of the last 18 months it is particularly important that we continue to look after our voluntary sector and events like this are a brilliant way of doing that.” 

Zakariyya Choudhry, Regional Head of the Charity Walk for Peace, said: “The purpose of the walk is to raise funds for the community and also to involve the local community so we can work together and create something positive. 

“Our motto is Love for All Hatred for None and we believe that the Charity Walk for Peace is a great way to achieve that community cohesion and really do something positive together.” 

The walk will raise money for seven local charities: 

Havant & East Hants MIND
Liss Crossover Centre 
Swallows Trampolining Club – Disability section 
Artscape 
The Kingsley Organisation 
Dementia Friendly 
Attenborough Explorer Scout Group