Mountbatten Isle of Wight is inviting families, schools and teachers to take part in this year’s Schools Walk the Wight, which marks its 20th anniversary on Sunday 10th May.
Sponsored by Rouse Financial Planning, the Schools Walk the Wight encourages children across the Isle of Wight to get active in the lead-up to the main event, with every 30 minutes of activity counting as one mile towards the challenge.
The final 4-mile walk begins at Freshwater Bay, where participants can enjoy face-painting, warm-up sessions and music from a live DJ before setting off across Tennyson Downs and finishing at Alum Bay, where a commemorative medal awaits.
Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s Olivia Lewis-Marlton has said:
“It is always a real honour to see families arriving and getting excited about taking on their four-mile challenge.
“The sun shines and the atmosphere is electric, and this year feels even more special as we celebrate how far Schools Walk the Wight has come over the last two decades, always supporting the vital care Mountbatten provides to Island families.”
Schools will once again compete to be the top fundraiser. Last year, Carisbrooke Primary School raised just under £3,436 to take the title, while the 2025 event overall raised a record £48,000.
Entertainment at the start line will be provided by Josh and Andy from Hush Silent Disco Production Company, who will return with their high-energy DJ set.
Josh and Andy have said:
“We absolutely love DJing at Freshwater’s start line, and helping cheer walkers on as they reach the final stretch.
“Mountbatten is a charity very close to our hearts, so it’s always a pleasure to be involved.”
The Schools Walk the Wight was first launched in 2006 by Louise Gray and Helen Stitchbury as part of the Isle of Wight Council’s Healthy Schools Initiative, with the aim of encouraging children to stay active.
Funds raised from the event support Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s work providing 24/7 care across the Isle of Wight, including in patients’ homes, at its inpatient unit and through the John Cheverton Centre in Newport.
