MORE than 100 walkers wrapped up warm and enjoyed a stroll along the Stourbridge Canal for the Mayor’s first-ever fundraising Winter Walk.

Councillor Mohammed Hanif, Mayor of Dudley, invited people to join him on a seven-mile hike on Sunday January 22 which started and finished at The Bonded Warehouse in Canal Street, Stourbridge.

A keen walker himself, councillor Hanif was joined by the Mayoress – his wife Zabeda Khanam – and a number of family members plus former Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley Councillor Steve Waltho and his wife Jayne and a host of community members keen to get out and walk off the festive pounds.

Stourbridge News:

Entry was £1 each and many walkers also got friends and family to sponsor them to complete the walk which included a stop-off at the Tea Rooms at Stourton.

So far around £550 has been raised for the mayor’s charities - the Friends of Alfie Johnson, Dudley CIL and Diabetes UK Dudley branch - but more sponsorship money has yet to be collected.

Cllr Hanif said: “There’s a lot more to come.

“It was a fantastic event. It’s the first time something like this has been arranged and people loved it. I’m really pleased with the turnout - we had about 120.”

He said the said the event proved a "great fundraiser” and he added: “We’re really grateful to everyone that came and supported it."

Stourbridge News:

Following the success of Winter Walk, cllr Hanif is hoping the event will become an annual outing in the Mayor's calendar.

The next fundraising event in the Mayor's diary is a curry night at East One in Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, on Monday February 6 at 7.30pm.

For further details on all future fundraising events in the Mayor's 2016-17 diary click here.

To book to attend the Mayor's curry night call Sue Randle on 07412 531924.