A DONATE-A-GATE scheme has been launched to help replace stiles on some rural footpaths.
The Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership and the Friends of the North Pennines have teamed up for the initiative, which covers Teesdale and the wider North Pennines area, aiming to make popular footpaths more accessible by replacing awkward stiles with gates.
Members of the public are being encouraged to sponsor a gate to make this possible.
The gate would be fitted with an engraved plaque and the sponsor given a choice of the location, the engraving and receive a personalised map of the area around their gate.
Six gates have already been donated.
Emma Ashton-Wickett, the Heart of Teesdale Paths Officer, said: “This scheme is a great way to leave a lasting tribute whilst benefitting the hundreds of walkers who will use that route in the future.
“We hope that this scheme will be as popular here as it has been in other parts of the country.”
The scheme forms part of the Partnership’s Paths for All People project, which aims to improve the footpaths and bridleways around the Heart of Teesdale area, including work on the Teesdale Way and the Greta Walk.
For information, call Emma Ashton-Wickett on 0300-026-0645, email: emma.ashton@durham.gov.uk or fotnp@hotmail.co.uk.
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