The Shibden After Dark Walker Wednesday group was founded because we watched a TV programme about the amazing Anne Lister that then led us to the Shibden After Dark group that led some of them to want to emulate Anne's trek up Vignemale, that then brought us to form our own walking group.

We didn't want Anne's wife to be forgotten, and she had the perfect name so we dubbed ourselves Walker Wednesday. The aim of the group isn't to circumnavigate the globe, it was born out of a wish to motivate us to get out and about more than you normally would, even if it's just one extra step. 

Now with over 90 walkers from 15 countries we continue to offer each other support and friendship through our walks and beyond. The Anne Lister Birthday Week (ALBW) celebration will be the first time many of the Walkers will be meeting, and we wanted to make that moment even more significant by raising money for an important cause.

Last year we managed to raise over £6,000 in our Step Up for Dementia Challenge for The Alzheimer's Society, a cause close to many members of the group and also Suranne Jones, the actor who so wonderfully portrayed Anne Lister. 

This time we will be dragging ourselves up Old Bank to Shibden Hall and onward to the tunnel where Anne was beaten up in Season 1 of Gentleman Jack as part of ALBW. All in support of raising funds for cancer support. 

In lieu of a charge for the walk, we ask participants - or even those who can't participate, to make a donation. We have chosen the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity as a way to thank the people of Yorkshire for hosting ALBW and hope that whatever money we are able to raise will help towards the important work that they do.

Please, even if you can't make the walk yourself, give what you can.

(Team Photo courtesy of BBC / HBO / Lookout Point)