Charity walk draws in big city names.

Byline: By Jane Picken

Big names and big businesses from the North East are getting behind a children's charity-sponsored walk.

Newcastle's Centre for Life is among those who have thrown their support behind the Children's Society's Newcastle Bridges Walk next month.

The walk will encompass the best-known sights in Newcastle, including the Baltic, St James' Park and Leazes Park, as well as the city's bridges across the Tyne.

Health and social care recruitment agency Reed Health Group, based in Newcastle city centre, has decided to hold a gala evening at St James' Park for walkers to celebrate finishing the 10-mile walk.

Proceeds from ticket sales, costing pounds 5 each, and an auction to be held at the gala evening will go to the Children's Society.

Generous local business have donated helicopter rides, weekend breaks at Berwick Holiday Park and makeovers for Reed to auction at the gala evening, on March 6.

"We work with the Children's Society a lot as we help recruit social workers and we heard about the walk," said assistant manager Glynis Spriddell.

"The Children's Society has held events like this before, but not in Newcastle. We thought having something in the evening would really finish it off."

One of the pit-stops for walkers will be the Centre for Life, where fundraisers will be offered hot chocolate to keep them warm and special meal deals.

Staff from the Centre for Life will be doing the sponsored walk, and exhibition guide Paul Nellis has already gathered pounds 40 from family and friends, and hopes to get a lot more.

"It will be a great day. I love the city and I'll be able to see bits of it I have not seen before," said the 22-year-old fundraiser from Fenham, Newcastle.

"I have been pestering people to sponsor me but everyone is really willing when I tell them what it's all about - it's definitely a good cause."

Navy officers from HMS Calliope on the Quayside will be lending a helping hand by taking part in the walk themselves and also providing space for the Children's Society to store the goody bags being given out to walkers on the day of the race.

"We are in a perfect position to help out the walkers," said HMS Calliope's Lt-Cdr Andy Collier, who trains Navy reservists on Gateshead Quays.

"It looks like a really interesting route. It starts on the Quayside, but there is so much more to see."

Those interested in signing up for the walk can call [phone].