Walking for peace in the Great Park

The Walk for Peace is now in its 28th year, running this year in association with Runnymede Borough Council.

It set off on a chilly morning from outside the Savill Court Hotel in Wick Lane, Englefield Green.

Representatives from 160 charities joined the leader of Runnymede Borough Council Nick Prescott, the Mayor Cllr Iftikhar Chaudhri, Surrey’s deputy Lord Lieutenant Nick Wood-Dow and the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Rafiq Hayat among other dignitaries.

Mr Hayat told the walkers: “We started these walks in 1985 when we had 300 participants and raised £1,500. That was the start.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community does a lot of charity around the world but this event particularly focuses on British charities. That is why I am very proud that a large number of you will benefit.”

Schools and community groups from across the area also took part.

Along the scenic route were food and charity stalls, as well as exhibitions and displays.

Atiq Ahmad Bhatti, one of the Charity Walk for Peace organisers and President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Slough & South Bucks said: “Being held in the historic borough of Windsor, the walk carried a very royal theme and it was incredible to see thousands of walkers from so many charities out and raring to go, all committed to raising as much money as possible for their respective charities.

“We are on track to raise £1,000,000 for British charities in 2018.”

http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/16199209.Thousands_walk_for_peace_in_the_Great_Park/