DEAR readers,

Last Saturday our wonderful volunteers braved heavy rain to distribute the Durham Gala edition at the Big Meet.

Well done to all. Every copy was taken and for those that may have seen the paper for the first time we hope that you will have subsequently taken out a subscription or signed up for the Daily Alert — a good gateway to the paper.

This weekend we have a presence at another significant movement event, the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival in Dorset where we will be distributing this bumper edition complete with the Country Standard. 

Every week the paper’s circulation department organises special drops to our readers and supporters’ groups to all points of this island wherever there is political activity taking place — peace festivals, meetings, conferences, protests and demonstrations. Thank you for this work which puts this paper at the heart of the movement. 

Sales and/or distribution of the paper is one of the three key functions that supporters individually or collectively carry out through readers and supporters groups, or political party or trade union branch work.

Fundraising is one of the other key functions. Several years ago we had a Summer of Heroes where we highlighted the work that groups were doing. As we know not all heroes wear capes!

This week I came across a small post on Facebook which caught my attention. Ron Brown, a regular reader of the paper, was off to walk the Pennine Way and had decided that he would raise money for the paper at the same time. So I contacted Ron to ask if we could publicise what he is up to and assist in any way.

The Pennine Way stretches for 268 miles (431km) across England’s wild northern uplands. The route follows England’s rocky spine from the hills of the Derbyshire Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales, through the stunning Swaledale Valley, across the North Pennines and over Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland to the Cheviot Hills, ending in the Scottish Borders in Kirk Yetholm.

Ron will be carrying his tent and associated paraphernalia but not a copy of Wainwright’s Pennine Way (that’s a dream of mine ruined).

Ron has promised to wear either his Morning Star baseball cap or beanie throughout the walk so I suspect if you are out walking any part of the route over the next two weeks you will easily identify him. Although keeping his phone use to a minimum, Ron has promised to send regular updates. 

Annually 3,500 people walk the trail from start to finish in one go but only one will be doing it for the paper. As Ron said, “cards on the table, this is my idea of fun. But if I did it quietly, I wouldn’t be able to look Keith Stoddart in the eye again. The Morning Star is precious, and I am a big reader and supporter. In the north-east we have an active RSG who do great work. So, if this can help the Fighting Fund in any way, why not?”

Encourage Ron in his walk by donating to his Crowdfunder at https://tinyurl.com/RonPennineWay.