THE Slough Town Supporters Trust has chosen to raise funds for the Slough Pit Stop Project with its annual Sponsored Walk this Saturday, writes Rob Stevens.

The walk has become an end-of-season tradition for Rebels fans and more than £30,000 has been raised for local charities and the Supporters Trust since it first started in 1988.

The Slough Pit Stop Project is an educational charity offering young people across Slough vocational courses in motor mechanics, catering and construction to gain industry recognised qualifications.

A group of around 25 supporters and members from Pit Stop will tackle the 18-mile walk from Arbour Park to Woking Football Club. The walking party will leave Slough at 7am and arrive at the Kingfield Stadium before the match gets under way at 3pm.

The walk has raised between £1,600-£4,000 in previous seasons and over £600 has been collected in sponsorship this year. Money raised will be split between the Trust and Pit Stop, who will use it to purchase new tools and equipment.

Daniel Brench is a member of the Supporters Trust and told the Observer: "We always look for a local charity and the Pit Stop Project had come up on our list before. It was put forward along with a couple of other ideas and chosen by board members.

"We re-visited the idea because it's a pupil referral unit across Slough at Haybrook College. It's where my brother works so I knew a little bit about it.

"There's already around £600 on the group sponsor form which doesn't include individual fundraising.

"There will be 18 supporters involved in the walk, two people from Pit Stop and two or three others from Haybrook that will walk some of the route.

"They were really keen to make us a part of the Haybrook family when we went to visit, and we're really pleased that they've decided to join us because we like it when the charity gets involved too.

"We try to keep the walk at a reasonable distance to encourage people to get involved but it's still a challenge."

To sign up to the walk or to sponsor the group please visit sloughtownsupporterstrust.co.uk