Budding trekking author and marketing consultant Darryl Dawson, 47, is blooming with pride as York based Yorkshire Tourist Board have obtained 100 copies of his walking guide book for their Tourist Information Centres just in time for White Rose Day (Yorkshire Day) this coming Monday, 1st August. All proceeds from sales are going directly to Ridgeway's White Rose Children's Charity to aid youngsters with cancer, leukaemia and special needs.

The 34 page booklet entitled 'White Rose Challenge Walk' derives its' name from the start and finish of a 40 mile traverse stretching from the southerly 'White' Horse of Kilburn to 'Rose' berry Topping at Newton in the north and took over two years to research and complete - being finally published with a little help and sponsorship from Sheffield's Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre.

I found the original 1973 book written by Geoffrey White in a Dronfield Antique & Colllectors Fair and thought it would be a great idea to re-write it in celebration of all the hard work John Buttery, Audrey Wright and the team do at White Rose Children's Charity simply because they are a true charity with no personal financial gain - it's all strictly voluntary work." Explained Darryl of St. Mary's Road, Tickhill, "It wasn't without its problems! Firstly I had to gain copyright clearance which saw me sending letters and door knocking the avenues, cul de sacs and streets of York in an attempt to find Mr. White's daughter Penelope ... because he'd sadly passed away ... and yes (!) thanks to neighbours I did find her - only living in Torrance, California, USA where she's now a highly respected acrylic artist! Thanks to the internet and e-mails, she was only too delighted to give permission to such a worthwhile cause as White Rose Children's Charity, and as they say, the rest his history. So far we've sold 126 books making over £380 - one as far away as St.Ives! So not only are we doing our bit for poorly children but Yorkshire tourism and economy too!"

Editors Notes on Yorkshire Day:

The White Rose has been a symbol of Yorkshire since the War of the Roses between the Houses of Lancaster and York in the 1400's.

August 1st holds a special place in Yorkshire's history for, on this day in 1759, soldiers from Yorkshire regiments who had fought in the battle of Minden, in Germany, picked white roses from bushes near to the battlefields has a tribute to their fallen comrades.

Since celebratory events first took place in 1975, Yorkshire Day has grown in popularity and now almost every town and village in the county organises an event of some kind, and many businesses have also become involved.