ALTRINCHAM resident Ruth Tobi is challenging people to join her on ‘The Culture Crawl’ - a sponsored walk with a fun, cultural twist for Maggie’s Manchester, the new cancer support centre in the grounds of the Christie Hospital.

Maggie’s is a warm and welcoming place with qualified professionals on hand to offer free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends.

In its first year, the 10km twilight walk will see people walk from the architecturally stunning Maggie’s Centre– the only building in Manchester designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster – into and across Manchester stopping for fun, cultural experiences along the way.

Walkers can enjoy a taste of Bollywood in Rusholme, a special exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery, a recital at the Royal Northern College of Music and the coroners court at the London Road Fire Station, plus other treats along the way. The Culture Crawl takes place on September 30, 6.30pm, starting from Maggie’s Manchester, Kinnaird Road, Withington. Early bird registration for the event is £20, and participants are asked to commit themselves to raising £80, a fundraising pack full of ideas to make sure each walker hits their target will be emailed once registered. Those interested can find out more about the Culture Crawl, register and take part, by visiting www.maggiescentres.org/ccmanchester.

Ruth, 54, had been fundraising for Maggie’s through the company she worked for and was so taken with amazing difference the centre makes to people with cancer and their families that she changed career direction and now works at Maggie’s Manchester.

Ruth is now organising the sponsored walk and husband, Simon, will be taking part on the day as well.

She said: "I know the impact cancer has on not just the person being treated, but their family and friends as well. Good support is so vital and Maggie’s is here for anyone affected – it is just a lovely, warm, peaceful place for people to come to any time for a cup of tea, as well as practical and emotional help from our amazing team of professionals."