Women walking a milestone anniversary

WALK: Janice Mills, of Martinborough, and Women Walk the World Martinborough Style poster.

The Martinborough branch of Rural Women New Zealand will celebrate turning 90 by walking the world "Martinborough style".

The organisation decided to combine its anniversary with world-wide event Women Walk the World, which raises money for developing countries.

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) encouraged its groups to do a combined distance of 90km to represent achievements over the past 90 years.

RWNZ Martinborough branch president Janice Mills said to keep in theme they would do the charity walk through streets named after different parts of the world.

"We thought, let's do it Martinborough style and we picked out streets with the names of international cities and countries."

Mrs Mills said a 6.5km walk had been mapped out and New York St, Dublin St, Naples St and Venice St were a few included in the route.

To reach the 90km goal, 14 people will have to participate but Mrs Mills said people could choose how far they walked and their distance would be added to the tally.

"It's a good walk for anyone, any age and at any fitness level, it's just strolling the streets of Martinborough."

Women Walk the World is put on each year by Associated Country Women of the World, an organisation that links more than 376 country women's clubs and societies in 64 countries.

Donations raised will be used to help support grants given by the United Nations for field work in developing countries.

Although Women Walk the World is taking place internationally tomorrow, Martinborough RWNZ have pushed it to the following weekend so more people can participate.

Mrs Mills said the walk is not just for women and encourages partners and families to join in.

It takes place on Sunday, May 3,at 10.30am and everyone participating is asked to give a gold-coin donation.

The walk will start at the square, where maps will be given out, and everyone will report back afterwards so distances can be tallied.