The day may have begun a little wet and windy, but the sun certainly shone down for the majority of the day yesterday (Sunday) as thousands of people walked from Bembridge to The Needles for Walk the Wight 2017.
The 26.5 mile challenge got underway at 06:00 with crowds of people setting off to raise much-needed funds for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Some completed the half challenge from Bembridge to Carisbrooke or Carisbrooke to The Needles, whilst others took on the full walk covering the entire length of the Isle of Wight.
The first person to cross the line was Brendan Morris, who ran from Bembridge to The Needles in a time of just 3 hours and 36 minutes.
The annual Flat Walk between Sandown to Shide also took place with walkers setting off from Golf Links Road in Sandown at 08:30. The first family across the line at Shide was the Brown family of Laurel, Hannah, Toby, Kobie and Storm the dog.
Figures so far show that over 8,200 men, women, children and dogs took part; numbers were boosted by just under 1,000 people who registered on the day itself. Last year, around 7,500 took part in the annual event.
Cowes-based Plaza Ices were out and about selling ice cream to participants and spectators alike raising a fantastic £620 for the Hospice. In the past 10 years the company has raised over £7,000 during Walk the Wight.
Jax Jones, Major Events Fundraiser and Walk the Wight organiser, said:
“It has been an awesome and emotional day, and we’re really proud of everyone who stepped out in support of the hospice. Organising Walk the Wight takes all year and can’t be achieved without the support of so many people, witnessing the event finally come together on the day is inspirational!”
Nigel Hartley, Chief Executive, who walked the entire 26.5 miles said:
“It’s been extraordinary, exhilarating and painful in places! It’s incredibly humbling to see so many amazing people walk across our beautiful Island in support of patients and their families. Thank you to each and every one of you!”
People are now encouraged to send in their sponsorship money as soon as they can; the final fundraising total will be revealed towards the end of the year, when all sponsorship has been submitted.
Participants can send submit their sponsorship and sponsorship forms by:
• Taking it to any hospice shop
• BACS payment direct to the Walk the Wight account (A/N 1420 5025, S/C 54-10-34) using their walker number as a reference – ESSENTIAL
• Cheque made payable to ‘Earl Mountbatten Hospice’ posted to EMH, Halberry Lane, Newport, IOW, PO30 2ER
• Take cash or cheques directly to the Hospice (address same as above) with their sponsorship form
• Use the Just Giving page with their walker number as reference – ESSENTIAL
And we're off! Good luck everyone taking part in #WTW17 pic.twitter.com/KVbYpb827k
— Mountbatten Isle of Wight (@MountbattenIW) May 14, 2017
