Mountbatten’s Walk the Wight will return in May and Islanders are being urged to help the iconic event get back to its best.
The COVID pandemic has impacted the last 2 walks but it’s hoped this year’s event can again attract pre-pandemic numbers of around 8,000 participants.
Registration is now open for the Red Funnel-sponsored walk on Sunday 8th May, via www.mountbatten.org.uk.
Nigel Hartley, CEO of Mountbatten, says:
“Walk the Wight is our flagship event and it is really important that it is successful this year.
“We had a virtual walk two years ago and a scaled-down Walk the Wight last September, and given the circumstances around COVID, they were amazing. But, as things ease around Covid, we need a big effort to get Walk the Wight back to its best because it is absolutely vital to us.
“The money raised makes a huge difference, enabling us to keep helping more Island people who need us. There is also something incredibly special about bringing thousands of people together, all in support of Mountbatten, so please join us on 8 May and Walk the Wight with Mountbatten.”
This year’s walk is going green, with several new measures introduced to make it eco-friendly.
The Island’s sustainable clothing brand, Teemill, is making all the walker T-shirts, which will be an optional extra, in exchange for a £10 donation, to avoid wastage. Anyone who donates for a T-shirt will be able to return it to Teemill to be recycled after the walk, in exchange for a £5 gift voucher.
Other initiatives include recycled lanyards for the medals and recyclable water bottles at all drinks stations. Walker packs will be largely electronic to save paper and printing costs.
As ever, the main 26.5-mile walk starts at Bembridge and finishes at Alum Bay. There is the option to walk either the first or second half, as well as the 8-mile Flat Walk from Sandown to Newport.
The Schools Walk the Wight, covering the final 4 miles of the main route, is also returning.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.mountbatten.org.uk.
