AN epic charity walk starting at four locations across the North-East got under way in the North Tyne last week.

It marked the launch of the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care Walk, a 135-mile trail from the sources of the Tyne to the sea with imposing stone markers installed at locations throughout.

Kielder was one of four starting points last Wednesday for the launch of the long-distance trail in which four groups of 80 volunteers set off on a three-day trek to the meeting place where the North and South rivers converge.

Coun. Kath Nisbet, Civic Head of Northumberland County Council, cut a ribbon to get the Northumberland leg of the walk under way at the source of the North Tyne at Deadwater Farm, Kielder.

She was joined by local dignitaries, farmers and children from Kielder First School who sang Waters of Tyne as the walking group set off.

Meanwhile, three almost identical events were held at Tynemouth, South Shields and Tyne Head, in Cumbria, the source of the South Tyne.

All four parties met at a new stone marker near Warden, where the North and South Tyne rivers converge, on Friday.

The ‘Meetings of the Water’ was attended by civic leaders and Daft as a Brush trustees.

Coun. Kath Nisbet said: “We gathered at Kielder to acknowledge the great work done by the Daft as a Brush charity and to wave off the volunteers who accepted this challenge to launch the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care Walk.

“They covered a significant distance on foot to reach the meeting place, near Warden, and I’m sure it was a demanding but rewarding experience, with some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain to keep them occupied.

“This trail will help generate valuable funds and raise awareness of the very important work this charity does and I would urge people to donate whatever they can afford.”

Eddie Carson, from Daft as a Brush, said: “It’s a challenging walk but everyone who took part loved it. The weather was great too, it was like summer.

“We hope that the route will be included on Ordinance Survey Maps so that it is nationally recognised.”

Daft as a Brush relies on donations to keep the charity moving and there are various ways to make a donation.

For more information visit www.daftasabrush.org/donate or alternatively call (0191) 2855999 to pledge your support.