A special awards night to celebrate the efforts of people who went the extra mile during Walk the Wight was held on Thursday night.
Mountbatten welcomed walkers to the hospice for the 2019 Walk the Wight Awards, where the current fundraising total – £242,434 – was also revealed.
Among the winners was the late Steve Wright, who took part in this year’s Flat Walk, just a month before he died at Mountbatten. Receiving 2 special recognition awards on his behalf, his wife, Michelle, said:
“I cannot tell you how much Mountbatten means to us all.
“Everybody who takes part in Walk the Wight, I cannot thank them enough, because all the money they raise means people like my husband can come and live the last part of their life at Mountbatten doing whatever makes them happy.
“It was a pleasure doing the walk and it’s an honour to receive this award for Steve.”
Awards were presented across a range of categories, including the youngest and oldest walkers and best fundraisers.
Neil Fawcett, 1 of 2 walkers who suffered a near-fatal heart attack while taking part in Walk the Wight, presented a Special Recognition Award to everyone who helped him, including fellow walkers, volunteers and medical professionals. He said:
“It was sobering and quite emotional to hear about the tremendous effort of everyone who came together on Brook Down.
“I, more than anyone, owe my presence here today entirely to a number of simply amazing people.
“What they achieved that afternoon was something very special.”
Reflecting on the night, Mountbatten CEO Nigel Hartley said:
“The stories we heard were simply extraordinary, inspiring and very humbling.
“We are so very lucky to have such incredible support from our community, who do so much to support our work.
“It was another amazing evening and on behalf of everyone at Mountbatten, I would like to say thank you and well done to all our winners.”
The final total raised at this year’s Walk the Wight, which will include Gift Aid additions, will be announced early next year.
Walk the Wight celebrates its 30th year in 2020 and plans are already underway to make it extra special.
Walk the Wight 2019 – Award Winners
• Bill Bradley Cup – youngest walker to complete main walk – Harmony-Grace Ferguson
• Hayward Family Cup – youngest walker to complete half of main walk – Lola and Imogen Hailes
• Mountbatten Cup – special recognition award for all involved in emergency response
• HF Holidays Cup for most money raised by an individual in Schools Walk the Wight – Thea Ricketts
• Morey’s Challenge Cup – oldest female to complete half of main walk – Geraldine Summer
• Mountbatten Cup – oldest male to complete half of main walk – Peter Butcher
• Martin Holmes Memorial Cup – oldest female to complete main walk – Janet Whiteman
• Fran Sexton Memorial Cup – oldest male to complete main walk – John Whiteman
• The Jackman Family Cup – best fancy dress – The Jesters
• Mountbatten Cup – most money raised by an individual – Claire Hubbard
• Harris Family Cup – most money raised by school for Schools Walk the Wight – Nine Acres Primary School
• Needles Cup – most money raised by a team – The Jo Hine Team
• Mike Wray Memorial Cup – Walk the Wight volunteer – Trevor Price
• Newport Lions Shield – oldest walker in Flat Walk – Leonard Tewkesbury
• Newport Lions Cup – top young fundraiser in Flat Walk – Lacey Davied
• Ryde Lions Cup – top adult fundraiser in Flat Walk – Trina Murton
• Ryde Lions Cup – top team effort in Flat Walk – Team Ansari
• Ventnor Lions Cup – Flat Walk achievement award – Steve Wright
• Sandown and Shanklin Lions Cup – personal achievement in Flat Walk – Steve Wright
