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Walking together and working together - Sellafield teams take on Keswick to Barrow Walk
A group of Sellafield Ltd staff teamed up with reachback colleagues to take part in a challenging walk which has become an historical tradition.
The idea of walking from Keswick to Barrow (K2B) originated in 1966 when the late US President, John F Kennedy, said that "every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day." At that time several Americans were working at the shipyard in Barrow, and they decided to walk 50 miles to Keswick. The walk has taken place annually ever since.
It was appropriate therefore that the modern day Americans working in Cumbria should take up the challenge – and a group of URS workers who are at Sellafield on reachback teamed up with a number of Sellafield Ltd employees to take part – raising £350 for charity in the process.
Paul Gubanc, from the Engineering directorate, said: "As a newcomer to West Cumbria, I was delighted to fill a vacant slot on a K2B team. This event combined several desires of mine to meet some wonderful people, enjoy the beautiful English countryside, maintain my health and give back to the local community."
The 40 mile sponsored walk took place on Saturday 8 May. The route takes walkers through some of the country's finest landscapes, starting on the southern side of Keswick and winding its way through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lakes down to Barrow-in-Furness.
Overall, some 2314 people took part – beating the K2B participation record – and a record 2094 completed the walk with the total amount to be raised from this year’s event, which will be announced and distributed in November, expected to be close to a record £250,000.
Many more people from Sellafield Ltd participated and assisted this year. Keith Johnson, from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and member of the Keswick to Barrow Walk committee, thanked all the walkers, supporters and marshals for contributing to yet another very successful event.
Anyone interested in taking part next year should contact Keith on Sellafield, 86569.
A full list of results and further information is available on the website - www.keswick2barrow.co.uk
