Mari hopes for public support for charity crawl

Appeal for help . . . parish council chairman Mari Wiswell

A PARISH council chairman left in a wheelchair after a car crash is appealing for kind-hearted walkers to help her raise money for charity.

Shaw Parish Council’s “Chairman’s Crompton Circuit Crawl” sets off on Sunday at 10am from the Jubilee Inn Car Park, Milnrow Road.

Chairman Councillor Mari Wiswell is asking people to walk the route for her and raise money for her chosen charities.

Councillor Wiswell damaged her spinal cord when a car in which she was a passenger left the road at Blackstone Edge, Littleborough, two years ago and is unable to take part herself. But her two sons Paul and Steven have volunteered and she is appealing for more people to join in.

Councillor Wiswell was an inspirational teacher at Crompton House School for three decades before directing her energies into community issues after the accident. She quickly became chairman after joining the parish council and is supporting the spinal injuries unit at Southport Hospital, where she was treated, and Oldham Owls, which helps disabled and able-bodied people in sport.

The event is part of the South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival and gives participants the chance to explore the edges of Shaw and Crompton while raising money.

The 11-mile circular walk follows the Crompton Circuit, taking in the sites of Pingot Quarry, Grains Bar, Fullwood, Birshaw, Brushes Clough and Crompton Moor where wonderful views of the parish can be seen.

A lunch break will take place around 12.30 to 1pm at St Joseph’s Church car park, Oldham Road, Shaw, where less fit walkers can join in for the easy part of the walk through Dunwood Park before finally arriving back at the Jubilee Inn.

Walkers will need to be physically fit to take part in this intermediate to hard walk, have suitable footwear (walking boots) and clothing appropriate for the weather.

They also need to bring plenty to drink and a packed lunch plus any other refreshments to keep themselves going over the day.

For more details call Councillor Diane Williamson (diane.williamson@oldham.gov.uk) on 01706-846670 or parish council clerk Dr Ray Hughes (clerk.shawcrompc@btconnect.com) on 01706-847590.

Sponsorship forms can be obtained from Councillor Wiswell by contacting her at m.wiswell@btinternet.com  or on 07912-343932.