TODDLERS and children will join the annual Bolton Boundary Walk this summer to raise money to buy wheelchairs and trikes for youngsters with disabilities.

The 50-mile walk takes place over two days on Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7, and walkers can do as little or as much of the route as they want.

It starts at the Reebok Stadium and goes around the borough boundary on rights of way, and generally avoiding roads. The walk includes Blackrod, Winter Hill, Dimple, Affetside, Ringley, Walkden and Hart Common.

Organised by the Children Today charity, which buys specialised equipment costing about £1,000 each, the event has become an enjoyable fundraiser for walking fans.

Among the walkers this year will be a group of mums and children from Toddletogether, which was formed by mum-of-two Cherry Kirkwood and her friend, Lucy Shutley, to get small children out in the fresh air and to bring like-minded parents together.

Mrs Kirkwood’s children, Amy and Daniel, aged nine and eight, will be taking part in the walk.

And the group will be using the event as a reunion as well as helping the charity.

Mrs Kirwood said. “We expect to walk about five miles and then get the train back.”

The charity’s regional fundraiser Elizabeth Oakes is delighted with the group’s involvement.

She said: “We always have adult walkers of all abilities taking up the challenge, so having youngsters and their parents with us is a bonus.

“It’s a fun event in a very good cause and everyone who has taken part over the past two years has said how much they’ve enjoyed it. They’ve also discovered parts of Bolton they never knew existed and loved the scenery and wild-life.”

There are stage markers, refreshment stations and support crew. Everyone who takes part receives a certificate and T-shirt. It costs £15 per person for the one-day challenge and £20 for two days, and walkers undertake to get sponsorship for the event.

For details call Elizabeth on 07990 510325 or email elizabeth@childrentoday.org.uk.