Cardiff Blues has joined forces with the University of Glamorgan to organise a Blue Mile Walk down the Taff Trail to raise fund and awareness for the WWF's Blue Mile initiative.
The walk will start from Ynys Angharad Park in Pontypridd, this Sunday the 1st of April at 11am, and will stretch along the Taff Trail, finishing in Trefforest.
The walk is open to all and the Blues are encouraging supporters of all ages to get involved, whether it’s a leisurely stroll, pushing the toddlers in a pram or a run, everyone is welcome to take part. A host of Cardiff Blues players will be taking part and for those who want to add a bit of colour to the event the Blues are offering a pair of tickets to the Blues v Ospreys match for the best fancy dress costume.
Entry is £5 per person or £10 for families (two adults and two children) and all profits will go to the WWF Blue Mile appeal.
Speaking of the walk, Cardiff Blues and Wales star Leigh Halfpenny said:
“The Blue Mile campaign is a great initiative and we are glad that the Cardiff Blues are able to support it. We are encouraging all our supporters and students at the University of Glamorgan to take part in it and raise some fund for WWF.”
Linden Reynolds, of the University of Glamorgan, who is organising the walk said,
“As a group we wanted to run an event that would make a difference, and we felt that the WWF's Blue Mile campaign was an excellent opportunity for us to do this. In organising the walk we're hoping to raise awareness, as well as funds, for the fantastic work that the WWF are doing in Wales and throughout the World.”
“As Sports Management students this has been a great way for us to flex our Event Management muscles and provide a sporting link between the students at the University of Glamorgan and our local community.”
“We want to promote our Blue Mile as a fun day out, so we're encouraging people of all ages and abilities to come and participate with friends, family and team mates to get some exercise, donate some money, meet some of your favourite Cardiff Blues players and make the most of one of our beautiful South Wales rivers."
Ruth Bates, WWF Cymru Communications Manager said:
“A huge array of wildlife lives in our rivers, oceans, lakes and wetlands and they also provide us with food and drinking water. Sadly they’re also under threat from dangers like climate change and pollution, so through the Blue Mile we’re raising money to protect them. Taking part could be as simple as a sponsored walk on the beach, so we hope that people across Wales will join the Cardiff Blues and get on board!”
Cardiff Blues would like to thank Gatorade for their support, prodivign refreshments to those taking part.
From protecting the habitats of endangered species like whales and turtles to making clean drinking water accessible to everyone on the planet, all money raised will go towards WWF’s work to protect the world’s water. For example:
• £10 could pay for 10 turtle friendly fishing hooks to reduce the amount of turtles that are accidentally caught on traditional hooks in Mozambique
• £100 could pay for two hours of fuel to run an air boat to monitor illegal activities like poaching and fishing in the Ihefu swamp – an important wetland in the Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
• £350 could pay for a researcher to monitor the impacts of climate change on Adélie penguins in Antarctica
For further information on the event please contact Linden Reynolds on 0754 3698475.