From Looe to Cadgwith: CRCC’s 80-mile walk for its 80th year

Four members of one Cornwall charity are about to spend five days walking the length of the county’s south coast, a mile for every year the organisation has been quietly getting on with its work.

80 miles for 80 years

Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) is marking its 80th anniversary this September with an 80-mile coastal walking challenge, 80 Miles for 80 Years. Members of its Rural & Coastal team will walk the South West Coast Path from Looe to Cadgwith over five days, from Monday 14 to Friday 18 September, celebrating eight decades of work while raising funds to secure the charity’s future in Cornwall.

A team of four walkers will take on the full distance, with trustees, supporters and community members joining them along different sections of the route.

The route from Looe to Cadgwith

The walk sets off at 10am on Monday 14 September from CRCC’s offices in Looe, then follows the coast west, stopping in Fowey, Mevagissey, Carne Beach and Helford Passage before finishing at Cadgwith on the final day.

• Day 1: Looe (10am) to Fowey (approx. 6pm)
• Day 2: Fowey (9am) to Mevagissey (approx. 7pm)
• Day 3: Mevagissey, She Sells Café (9am) to Carne Beach (approx. 7pm)
• Day 4: Carne Beach (8am) to Helford Passage, Ferry Boat Inn (approx. 8pm)
• Day 5: Helford Ferry Quay (9.30am) to Cadgwith (approx. 8pm)

Along the way, the team will meet individuals, groups and communities who have been supported by CRCC’s work, bringing eight decades of impact to life one stretch of coast path at a time.

Eight decades of quiet work

Since 1946, the charity has worked alongside communities across Cornwall, helping people and places thrive through carers’ support, community transport, rural housing, education and training, environmental projects and support for Cornwall’s fishing communities. Last year alone it supported more than 14,500 unpaid carers, helped more than 5,600 residents access support, delivered more than £4 million in funding into communities, and secured almost £1 million for Cornwall’s fishing communities.

Katherine Nissen, Chief Executive of Cornwall Rural Community Charity, said the challenge was as much about the future as the past. “For 80 years, CRCC has been helping strengthen communities and support people to thrive across Cornwall. Our teams help thousands of people access support, deliver millions of pounds of funding into communities and work to tackle isolation, strengthening community resilience and creating opportunities for people across Cornwall. This challenge is about celebrating the dedication of the communities, staff, volunteers, trustees and partners who have been part of that journey whilst looking ahead and ensuring we can continue responding to the needs of Cornwall’s communities for many years to come. We would love people to support the team along the route or make a donation if they can.”

Walkers who see the impact firsthand

Among the four walkers is Amelia, a Fishing Animateur at CRCC, who has helped fishermen and fishing communities across the county secure grant funding. “I’m excited to take part in the walk and meet members of the community that have received support from CRCC,” she said. “The Fishing Animateurs have helped many fishermen and fishing communities from all over Cornwall to receive grant funding. It’s really special to see the difference that our work is making, whether that’s a grant for safety equipment for a small-scale fisherman or a harbour pontoon project that will benefit many people.”

Izzy, Communications and Engagement Officer at CRCC, is taking on the challenge for similar reasons. “It is a privilege to work for an organisation that makes such a meaningful difference to the communities it supports,” she said. “Through my role, I have the pleasure of meeting many of the communities we work alongside, and through this I have seen both the impact of our support and the growing need. Taking on this challenge is my way of celebrating CRCC’s legacy and raising funds to help ensure we continue reaching those who need us most in the future.”

Supporters can follow the team’s progress along the coast path and donate via the JustGiving page. Every donation goes towards CRCC continuing to support and strengthen communities across Cornwall, long after this particular set of boots comes off.

📷Members of CRCC's Rural & Coastal team will mark the charity’s 80th Anniversary in a fundraising challenge to walk 80 miles along the South West Coast Path from Looe to Cadgwith this month (14 – 18 September).