LONDON -- More than 100 people walked from France to England through the Channel tunnel Saturday to raise 2 million pounds ($3 million) for charity in what was the first journey by foot from France to Britain since the two countries were joined during the Ice Age.
The historic walk was expected to raise 1 million pounds ($1.5 million) for the charity The Children's Society, which organized the event, and 1 million pounds for other charities.
Olympic decathlon gold medallist Daley Thompson led the 118 walkers along the 31-mile (50 km) stretch under the sea and advised them on their training program and on possible pitfalls on their trek.
'I love children,' Daley said. 'They have all their lives ahead of them. If I can help The Children's Society provide some of the things that they need then that's what I'll do. This is a great way of doing it.'
Eurotunnel, the operators of the Channel tunnel, described the 13- hour walk from Calais in France to Folkestone in England as a very fitting way to commemorate one of the most impressive civil engineering achievements.
'The Channel tunnel is about Britain's future - so are our children, ' said Sir Alastair Morton, a Eurotunnel executive. 'That is why I am delighted that Eurotunnel is able to help so many British charities in a memorable event organized by The Children's Society.'
The walk, sponsored by the British newspaper The Daily Mail, launched the opening celebrations of the tunnel in the lead up to the start of commercial services in spring.
It marked the 7th anniversary of the signing of the treaty between England and France agreeing to the construction of the Channel tunnel.
