Help preserve the delights of the Cleveland Way by adopting a section of trail

North York Moors National Park seeks volunteers to help preserve the 109-mile national trail

The North York Moors National Park Authority is looking for families and groups such as scouts and guides to lend a hand helping care for one of the country’s most popular long distance trails.

The National Park is keen to recruit a number of new volunteers to the Cleveland Way Adoption Scheme which was established two years’ ago to help maintain the 109-mile national trail, enabling visitors to continue enjoying the spectacular landscape and surroundings as they traverse the North York Moors.

Several sections of the trail between 2.2 miles and 6.8 miles are up for grabs and adopters are tasked with committing to a minimum of three patrols each year to report on the condition of the trail, record wildlife sightings and carry out basic maintenance such as litter picking, cutting back vegetation and clearing blocked drainage channels.

Groups who have already adopted a section include the 1st Marston Moor Scouts from Tockwith near York, which are now in their second year of patrolling a stretch of the trail between Sutton Bank and Sneck Yate.

Scout leader Andrea Cayton comments: “Adopting a section of the Cleveland Way has been a fantastic opportunity for the scouts. It has provided so many opportunities for them to discover how great the outdoors is.

“They have learnt practical skills, teamwork and an understanding of how and why we need to look after protected areas. Having a section of their own has given them ownership which makes them feel proud of the work they have done and it’s contributed to a number of scout badges.”

Tammy Andrews, Family and Youth Volunteers Co-ordinator adds: “Many people who have already adopted a section of the trail are getting great satisfaction and pride out of protecting an area they love.

“Any help we can get to protect such a prized visitor asset which attracts more than 350,000 visits each year, will be fantastic. There are a limited number of sections so we’re encouraging people to register their interest. Successful applicants will receive full training and a small set of tools to carry out maintenance tasks.”

Any group interested in the scheme should contact Tammy Andrews via email t.andrews@northyorkmoors.org.uk or phone: 01439 772700.