A GROUP of six Stourbridge locals will be running all 30 miles of the River Stour this Saturday (August 12) to raise funds for the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust (BBCWT).
Starting at St Kenlems Church in Romsley, where legend has it a spring rose from the spot boy prince Kenelm was brutally murdered, through Halesowen, Lye, Stourbridge, Kinver, Wolverley, Kidderminster and finally ending in Stourport where the Stour meets the Severn.
The runners - Colin Maltby, James Cole, Matt Cherry, Matt Giles, Chris Heslop, Joe Smith, Danny Knight, Giorgio Clarioni and Ash Goncalves - hope any money raised will help continue the work of the BBCWT in restoring more areas of the river for future generations to enjoy.
To sponsor the team go to Running the River Stour for Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust on JustGiving.com
The River Stour was once believed to have been home to the highest number of corn mills of any stretch of river in the UK and it has played a key role in the history of the Black Country, from powering mills and forges to helping wash out carpets at the world famous Kidderminster carpet manufacturers.
The river is now enjoying something of a renaissance as heavy industry has been replaced, and wildlife is once again starting to flourish - with otters and kingfishers spotted returning in recent years.
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