Tamesiders of all ages came together in August 2000 for a charity walk that was strictly a one-off.
More than 2,500 took up the challenge to create a little piece of history by walking five, ten or 15 miles along the newly completed section of the M60 between Middleton and Denton before it was finally opened up to traffic.
Coronation Street’s Bill Tarmey, better known as Jack Duckworth, was on hand to send the walkers, including Tameside’s mayor Brian Wild and deputy mayor John Bell on their way.
Some donned fancy dress creating a carnival atmosphere with the borough’s civic head among those caught in its spell.
The mayor had planned to walk five miles but got so carried away in the happy mood and high spirits of the day, he ended up ‘doing ten’!
All returned safely with just a few blisters, having shared a unique and hugely satisfying experience which had already raised £10,000 for the Macmillan cancer charity with the organisers hopeful that the final total could reach £30,000.
The money would fund a Macmillan nurse at Tameside Hospital and others throughout Greater Manchester.
Macmillan’s Siobhan Kelly hailed the event a huge success.
“The weather was fantastic and it was a really good family day out,” she told our reporter.
“It is probably the biggest event we have ever held - and will be the only one of its kind as we are unlikely ever to get another new motorway in this area.”
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