OUTDOOR enthusiasts have raised £100 for the Yorkshire Dales whilst improving their map reading and navigation skills.

The Long Preston-based walking experts Where2Walk teamed up with the Clapham-based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to offer navigation courses while raising vital funds for the local area.

Where2Walk give a donation to YDMT for each booking and, so far, £100 has been raised for the charity, helping to support a wide range of projects that care for the landscape, economy and communities of the Yorkshire Dales.

Jonathan Smith, of Where2Walk, said: “We want to ensure that people have the skills and confidence to get out and about in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside and, most importantly, to stay safe whilst they’re out there.

"I’m delighted that our navigation courses are providing these essential skills whilst at the same time contributing to the great work being done by Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.”

David Sharrod, YDMT director added: “Spending time out in the countryside is one of life’s great joys, particularly in a landscape as stunning as the Yorkshire Dales, but it is crucial that people know how to navigate and look after themselves on the hills. These are skills for life that will open up our extensive network of footpaths and allow people to explore off the beaten track with confidence.”

One and two day navigation courses run by fully qualified instructors are available from Where2Walk, covering themes such as planning a safe route, orienteering with and without a compass, using grid references, identifying navigational handrails and the Countryside Code.

For more information, visit where2walk.co.uk or email info@where2walk.co.uk