Charities set to benefit from this year's Waendel weekend in Wellingborough

The event, which attracts thousands of people from around the world and is taking place on May 13, 14 and 15, has a long history of fundraising.

People taking part in walks that range from 5km up to a marathon-distance 42km can be sponsored for completing the course, with all money raised being donated to their chosen cause.

Events officer for Wellingborough Council Julia Wells said: “Taking part in the Waendel walk for charity is a really easy and fun way to raise a lot of money and we’re delighted that so many people have signed up to support good causes.

“We would ask that anyone who is collecting for charity lets us know so that we can add them to the list on our website and give people a bit of information about the organisation.

“It’s always good if people contact us after the event as well to let us know how much they raised – it usually runs into thousands all together which is absolutely brilliant.”

Some of the charities set to take part in this year’s event include the PCDH19 Alliance, fronted by Seema Adams.

Seema’s daughter Jessica, three, suffers from a rare mutation called PCDH19 where one gene doesn’t work and triggers a seizure.

The condition affects girls in more than 99 per cent of cases, with no cure yet known.

After a recent stay in hospital, Jess is now back home and Seema is hoping to raise money and awareness of the rare condition by completing the 25km Waendel walk.

Seema said: “There are so many people out there who don’t know about this condition and we want to raise awareness of it.

“The PCDH19 Alliance is a great charity and they’ve been a godsend throughout all of this.

“The walk will be a big challenge for me and we want to raise as much money as possible.”

Other local charities taking part include Chelsea’s Angels, the Irthlingborough-based charity which supports children with neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers, who will be completing their chosen distance dressed as super heroes, and Wellingborough MIND.

Waendel participants who chose to fundraise need to contact their chosen charity for sponsorship forms and then ask friends, family and colleagues to pledge money.

When they’ve completed their route they’ll get a Waendel certificate and can collect the sponsorship to send off to the charity.

For more information about taking part in the Waendel weekend call 01933 229777 or go to www.wellingborough.gov.uk

The website includes information on how to pre-register for the event to save both time and money, as well as route information and start times, entertainment and tips for keeping safe along the route.