*** Now Extended into 2021 ***

Halifax Calder Rotary Club are asking you to put your best foot forward and join us in raising money for Overgate Hospice. We're looking to collect as much as possible to support this local charity at the heart of the Calderdale community.

Halifax Calder Rotary Club is organising a virtual fundraising event where we're asking you to climb (or walk the equivalent of) the height of a local landmark - Wainhouse Tower. There are 403 stairs in the tower which you can climb at home, work or wherever you have access to stairs. Alternatively the equivalent distance walking on the flat is 1,500 steps (1km).

This is something that everyone can get involved in - whether young or old, on your own or as part of your family or a group. You could even challenge each other to see who can complete this challenge whilst wearing the wackiest costume or doing it the most number of times! It's entirely up to you, be as creative as you like - we just want your help to raise as much money as possible for this great cause.

Simply enter by donating a minimum of £10 or you can even start your own fundraising page to share with your friends and family and be sponsored to do your own event. When you're doing the challenge, please do show us any photos that you take by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the Hashtag: #ClimbTheTower2020

Once complete, let us know because every entrant will receive a personalised Challenge Certificate, along with a nice little surprise from us in your email too. In addition, the person(s) who do the furthest distance or raise the most money will be rewarded!

When we told Overgate Hospice of our idea, Community Fundraiser Nikki Scholey said;

The History of Wainhouse Tower

The 19th century Wainhouse Tower (at 253 feet high) is one of the most prominent landmarks in Calderdale. Visitors can walk up its 403 steps in order to see a magnificent view of the district.

The original concept came from John Edward Wainhouse who owned the Washer Lane Dyeworks, which he had inherited from his uncle in 1854. At the time, Halifax Corporation was urgently trying to implement measures to control the amount of smoke in the atmosphere. As the Dyeworks was contributing to the pollution problem, Wainhouse decided that it would be a good idea to build a chimney, which would be connected to the Dyeworks by an underground flue. Wainhouse had a good appreciation of architecture and insisted that the chimney be an object of beauty.

The original architect was Isaac Booth. Work commenced in 1871, using locally quarried stone. After a dispute with Wainhouse, Isaac Booth left the project and Richard Dugdale was appointed to take his place. Dugdale was responsible for the upper section of the Tower with its balcony and elaborate lantern dome. It was completed on the 9th September 1875 at a cost of £15,000.

John Edward Wainhouse died in July 1883 and the Tower was offered for sale by auction. The Tower had been in the ownership of several people when in 1918, the Halifax Courier organised a public subscription in order for Halifax Corporation to purchase the structure. On 30th May 1919, the deed of ownership passed to the Council where it has remained ever since.

Because it has never been used for its original purpose, the Tower is sometimes referred to as Wainhouse's Folly. However, during the Second World War it was used as an observation post. The entrance has also been utilised as a hen cote!