Walk the Wight took place yesterday (Sunday) with almost 8,000 people – more than double the number of last year – taking part and more than £340,000 raised so far to support Mountbatten’s amazing work.
The money raised will help provide 24/7 expert care and support for free to around 2,000 people a day across the Island in their homes, at St Mary’s Hospital, and in Mountbatten’s 16-bed inpatient unit – including at night and at weekends.
The weather was fair and the sun shone on the thousands of walkers who took part in this year’s Walk the Wight with participants able to choose between 4 different distances. The longest distance was a gruelling 26.5 miles from Bembridge to Alum Bay meaning some tired legs this morning but the feedback from those who took part has been overwhelmingly positive.
Some tackled the course in fancy dress with a lobster, some Oompa Loompas, a Sumo wrestler, a princess, a dinosaur and a banana amongst the participants as well as a few Freddy Mercury impersonators spotted in the crowd.
A spokesperson for Mountbatten has said:
“A phenomenal 7,800 walkers joined us for yesterday’s event, raising a staggering £300,000 and counting! We are truly so blown away by everyone’s unbelievable support.
“Throughout the day, we heard so many heart-warming stories about why Mountbatten and Walk the Wight are so important to people. Check out our Facebook page for our highlights, with more photos and video to come!”
Mountbatten CEO Nigel Hartley – who walked all 26.5 miles from Bembridge to The Needles said:
“It was simply amazing, an absolute joy to be part of and to see so many people come together for Mountbatten. Walk the Wight was very much back to its best and we are so grateful to everyone involved in the day.
“In these challenging times, the money raised so far is simply incredible and will help us so much in supporting people who need our care on the Island. It is a huge task to organise the walk and I would like to personally thank our staff, volunteers and all our community supporters and sponsors who helped to make it happen. Thank you to you all for a truly memorable day.”
The walkers were generously supported on the day by almost 300 volunteers as well as various Island businesses, sponsors and suppliers.
As well as the 4 other routes, the Schools Walk the Wight from Freshwater Bay to The Needles also welcomed more than 1,000 walkers and has so far raised around £30,000 towards the overall total.
More sponsorship money is still to be collected and the final total raised will be announced later in the year
You can still donate to the good cause here and with a date already in the diary for next year’s event (Sunday 12th May 2024), you can register your interest here.
Well done to everyone, such a worthy event.