WE'RE reaching that time of the year when just about every weekend fundraisers from all over the country tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks for various charities. But the 24 miles challenge, is not as far as the Skipton Christian Aid Hike, of 32 miles, that took place every year in the 60s and 70s. Lesley Tate looks back at the event of 1968.

THOSE taking part in the Skipton sponsored 32 mile hike for Christian Aid in May, 1968 looked happy enough as they were pictured at the start, outside Skipton Town Hall. But, it turned out to be a miserable day, weather wise, with rain falling almost continuously throughout. Some of the showers were very heavy indeed reported the Craven Herald, with at times hail falling on the intrepid walkers and a thunderstorm.

Many were young children, and not dressed in the kind of light weight, efficient clothing and walking boots of today. Indeed, heavy, duffel coats, bobble hats, satchels and duffel bags seemed to be the order of the day - and the kind of rucksacks that left backs sore and shoulders stiff.

Of the impressive 1, 215 people who started off, some 686 finished. Despite the rain, it must have been a good year, as the number who actually finished was more than the number who started at the 1967 event. That event raised about £2,600, which was used to provide six water wells in India. Organised by the Skipton Council of Churches, the 1968 event raised £3,200. Walkers set off at intervals from the town hall between 9am and 10.30am and in 1968, walked from Skipton to Embsay, Halton East, Barden Bridge, Howgill, Burnsall, Thorpe, Cracoe, Rylstone, Flasby, Gargrave, and back to Skipton.

An experienced fell walker told the paper it was a tough hike, and had reminded him of an old army assault course.

The entire route was walked a few days before by one of the organisers, and a sub-committee of young clergy, who declared it to be a more interesting route than the year before.

Among those taking part were numerous children, many of who did eventually pull out - but only reluctantly, and only because of the lateness of the hour, and the continuing rain. A nun also took part and finished, Sister Philomena, from St Monica's Covent, in Skipton.

One of the youngest to take part was two year old Catherine Smithson, the daughter of the Rev A Smithson, curate of Christ Church, Skipton, who walked just more than three miles, and raised about £16 for Christian Aid. She was accompanied by her mother, who was pushing her ten month old son, Timothy, in a pram.

For the second year running, six year old Paul Bradley was the youngest to go the full distance. Paul had featured on the BBC news throughout the year on countryside programmes after he had taken part in the hike the year before.

Both he and his father, however, found the rain of 1968 hard going, completing the 32 miles in 12 hours. Other young finishers were seven year old, Anthony Simpson, Martin Smith, eight; Adrian Armitage, nine; and Geoffrey Carr, ten, and all of Skipton.

The rector of Skipton, the Rev C L Martineau, went the full distance, together with his wife and 13 year old daughter, Judith. He later told the paper: "I enjoyed the first 20 miles. The next five miles were not too bad, but I cannot speak with any enthusiasm about the last six miles."

Sponsored by friends at the Midland Hotel, Skipton, (now Herriots), Michael Cockshott did the hike in just under four hours. Michael, who ran most of the way, was unsurprisingly the first person to 'clock in' at the town hall finish line.

The 21 year old joiner was also first the year before, but refused to be described as an athlete, claiming he seldom took any exercise worth speaking off, and that his favourite pastime was fishing.

Michael actually ended up covering more miles than needed, after he left his watch in a telephone box and had to go back to get it.

About 20 dogs were sponsored and several finished, including Mick, a Jack Russell who walked with Dr Rex Harris, of Embsay, a former master at Ermysted's Grammar School.

One of fastest walkers was Nick Proctor, a pupil at Ermysted's, who got round as quickly as possible so he could watch the Rugby League Cup Final on the television.

Volunteers, including many from the clergy, were employed checking people in and out and running a 'get you home' service, which involved driving the tired and weary home.

Several of the clergy, who were busy working on the Saturday, walked the route earlier in the same week.

The week after the hike, it was reported that £3,200 had been collected so far, but that it was hoped that the final figure would reach £4,000.

The treasurer, Mr W Blake, who completed 16 miles, said he had felt more tired counting the money than taking part in the hike.

There was also an unexpected donation of £1 from a couple in Princes Drive, whose two year old golden labrador joined in, despite being uninvited and un sponsored, and was brought back by car after completing 24 miles - which the paper worked out was more like 30 dog miles.

The dog had joined in with walkers passing its house and was lost for hours until a checker had phoned the owners from Flasby.