A charity is to stage a walk from Douglas to Peel in a publicity drive.

The Manx Blind Welfare Society ’Coast to Coast Walk’ will be held on Sunday, September 9, to officially launch Vision Awareness Week and everyone is invited to get involved.

Walkers of all ages and abilities can take part with two routes over about 12 or three miles.

The full-distance walk starts at 12.30pm with check-in from 11.30am-12.15pm at the Department of Infrastructure car park - opposite the offices of the Skywind Group, principal sponsors of the event, at Quay House on South Quay in Douglas.

The walk will continue to the outskirts of the town, onto the old railway track then to the finish by the House of Manannan in Peel.

For those who prefer a shorter challenge, the check-in for the alternative starting point at St John’s is from 1.45pm in the village school car park before the walk starts at 2.30pm.

MBWS volunteers’ coordinator and events organiser, Debbie Thomson, says the event is for the whole community.

’We believe this will be a really popular walk and hopefully the start of an annual event,’ she said.

’You’ll be able to savour the views along the old railway line and enjoy being close to nature while raising funds for such an important local cause.

’We will have stewards placed at a number of strategic points along the way and various checkpoints so it won’t be daunting for anyone. We will also have water stations along the route to keep walkers hydrated.’

Everyone who takes part will receive a certificate of achievement and you can sign up by downloading a registration/sponsorship form from www.mbws.org.im, the MBWS Facebook page, collect one from the charity’s Corrin Court headquarters or its VIP store in Strand Street in Douglas.

The closing date for entries is August 31 and the entry fee is £10 (£5.00 for under 16s).

A number of public toilet facilities will also be available on route.

Debbie added: ’I’ve no doubt it will be one of the highlights of Vision Awareness Week.

’If you would like to be sponsored and raise money to support the society’s vital work that would obviously be very welcome.’

Vision Awareness Week, which will highlight the need for regular eye examinations for children, runs from the September 9 to 15.