Archers set ambitious target for Land's End John o' Groats-style shooting challenge

ARCHERS in Northwich are doing a Land’s End to John o’ Groats challenge without walking so much as a mile.

During this year’s outdoor archery season, around 75 members of Winnington Park Bowmen archery club will be recording the distance travelled by every arrow they fire, with the aim of accumulating a whopping 1,200 miles.

The distance is equal to Land’s End to John o’ Groats, then on to Paris, in honour of the upcoming Olympic games.

The money they raise through sponsorship of the challenge, which is running from April to August, will be donated to St Luke's Hospice.

Arrows don't have to be in the bullseye to count toward the target - it's just a bonus (Image: Michelle Oakes)

Michelle Oakes, the club’s events coordinator, said: “For every arrow that leaves a bow at either Moss Farm outdoor or Winnington indoor ranges, the distance the arrow travels to the target is collated.

“We’ll work out the overall distance by the end of the season.

“We’ve made sure to include everybody, from our junior members, right through to our county-level archers.

“Whether they’re shooting five metres or 70 metres, we’ll make it count towards the total.

Winnington Park Bowmen out for an early-season practice session (Image: Michelle Oakes)

“Our of our members, Lee Hadfield, has shot for England, and he’ll be totalling for us when he comes down to train.

“We asked members to nominate their chosen charity, and St Luke’s came out on top.

“Like a lot of people around here, many of us have a connection with St Luke’s. You also know all the money is going onto the front line to support families.

“The first week we totalled 63 miles and the second week more than 100. They’re absolutely storming. It’s really pulling people to together.

“I’m plotting the route on a map, though we’re taking the scenic route visiting the major cities on the way down.”

When the outdoor season closes at the end of August, Michelle will announce the club total, as well as everyone’s individual scores.

She added: “I think it’ll be a massive achievement, and everyone involved should feel really proud.”