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It's not very often you'll find me up and about at 8 o'clock on a Sunday morning but then it's not all that often I try to walk 22 miles in a day.

Beautiful Nidderdale

The annual Nidderdale Charity walk entered its 15th year on the 18th May 2008.ÌýSo far the event has raised more than half a million pounds for hundreds of charities.

Walkers have a choice of three routes; seven miles, 15 miles or 22 miles.ÌýAll start and finish at Pateley Bridge and all meander around the beautiful Nidderdale valley.

By quarter past eight I was registered and ready to go.ÌýFor the first seven miles the path follows the beautiful River Nidd.ÌýWith spring running late the bluebells and buttercups were in full flower showing the valley at its very best.Ìý

The time sped past; I must thank the group from Starbeck Post Office who helped me up the first big hill.ÌýHalf-way through I bumped into the special walk.Ìý150 people taking part in a four mile route along a private road allowing people with disabilities to get involved.

The walk is suitable for everyone

The 22 mile route heads to the very top of the Nidderdale valley and over the 75 year old Scar House Dam before turning back toward Pateley Bridge.ÌýI am pleased to say I finished the walk in a little under eight and a half hours - although my feet wished I’d never started!

In total just under 1200 walkers took part raising more than 50 thousand pounds for charity.Ìý

Scar House Dam, Nidderdale

But the real heroes had to be the marshalls from the Harrogate Rotary club and the Knaresborough Lions.ÌýThey gave up their Sunday, as they do every year, to make sure the event goes ahead safely, and provide me with constant orange squash and custard creams.

It was a beautiful day spent in the countryside, the weather was perfect and despite setting off on my own I wasn’t alone for long.

Richard White