THIS year's Edinburgh Christmas Walk will be a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first event. The walk offers the chance to raise money for a huge range of local charities, from Children 1st to St Columba's Hospice.

Since it was established in 1968, the event has raised more than £1 million for good causes in the Capital. This year the top three individual fundraisers will win free flights from flyglobespan.

Participants have the choice of a seven or a 15-mile route, both of which start on Melville Street at 9.30am on December 7th and finish on Castle Terrace. Music will be laid on along the route, with refreshments before and after.

Edinburgh's first ever Christmas Charity Walk was held on December 22, 1968, and covered a 17-mile route from the Usher Hall to Edinburgh Airport and back.

The event was founded by Terry Crossley, who set the event up when he moved to Edinburgh from South Africa. He subsequently went on to set up the first Great Scottish Walk in 2006.

Though he is no longer involved in it, Mr Crossley will return to take part to this year's event.

For information, visit www.edinburghchristmaswalk.com.

Postal Address:
Edinburgh Christmas Walk
5 Vivian Terrace
Edinburgh EH4 5AW