On Sunday a group of walkers will set off from Port Erin to hike the first leg of the Raad Ny Foillan (coastal path) anti-clockwise.

Other keen walkers are welcome to join in the event which raises funds for the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust.

Last year walkers completed the 85-mile Raad-ny-Foillan Challenge walking the route clockwise and raised over £10,000 for the charity which funds nursing staff to provide respite care and end-of-life palliative care for island residents.

Funding from the Trust currently helps to provide nearly 1,000 hours for patients each year, allowing them to be nursed at home in their final days.

The walk on Sunday begins at 10am opposite the Bay Hotel, Port Erin and follows the coastal path to the Sound cafe with a stop for coffee. The walk then continues, ending in Port St Mary and those who want to can then have a lunch of pasta or pizza at Andrea’s Pizzeria.

All walkers pay a £10 walk registration fee and £10 for each leg they walk. School age children walk free. Anyone who manages to complete the full challenge of walking all sixteen legs will receive a special certificate.There is an entry form with an option for including lunch on the Raad-ny-Foillan Challenge website where you can also find details of the full programme of walks for the anti-clockwise route.

Organiser Johnny Kipps said: ’Just a few points to mention: many of our walkers arrange - with a buddy - to leave a car at the start and the finish: with a great community spirit this enables all to return to their cars at the start.

’Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed on the first stage of the Raad Ny Foillan - from Port Erin to the Sound. This is the only stretch of the whole RNF where dogs aren’t welcome by the landowners. So, if your dog wants to walk with you, please arrange for him or her to meet you at the Sound Cafe.

’We walk pretty much whatever the weather, but if the wind is so strong that the Steam Packet isn’t running that morning, you can stay in bed!’

We made it! The end of the final leg of last year’s clockwise walk

The Raad-ny-Foillan coastal path takes in some of the island’s most beautiful scenery

Organiser Johnny Kipps