Walk the Wight

Bravely facing up to just about every conceivable element of weather the day could throw at them, thousands of steadfast walkers battled their way across the Island on Sunday 13th May. All were motivated by one very significant and unfaltering aspiration - to raise as much money as possible for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice by completing the 17th consecutive Walk the Wight.

Originated in 1991 by Frank Stevens and the late Bill Bradley, Walk the Wight has since grown in size to become widely regarded as the Island's largest annual fund-raising event. Last year £200,000 was raised by a total of 5211 walkers, 1400 of whom registered on the day. This year, 4845 walkers registered in advance and remarkably, despite the rather dramatic decline in weather conditions, a further 877 registered on the morning of the event. Expectations remain high and it is hoped that the sponsorship money generated by the steely walkers of 2007 may still well reach the quarter of a million pound mark.

Wet & Wild!

Following several successive years of fine dry weather, this year Islanders accompanied by visiting walkers from across the UK fought their way through wind, rain and even hail, across slippery mud-ridden tracks and footpaths - many of which were accompanied by their very own gushing, bubbling brooks and streams. It was almost as if the 'April showers' that failed to make an appearance throughout the sun-filled days of last month were reawakened with a vengeance, and the heavens opened!

152 pensioners (over 65's) took part in this year's walk, the oldest male being 85 and the oldest female 78. 1329 children signed up to take part from a total of 59 schools. Four stilt walkers from Ryde Extreme Performers fearlessly attempted the full 26 miles of the walk on stilts with one twenty-year-old successfully breaking the world record by completing the entire stretch in 8 hours 40 minutes! All in all, it is predicated that in excess of 7,000 people were involved in the event; including Rotarians, Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance Brigade and the many volunteers who helped to marshal the route, man the check points, hand out drinks and who were on hand at various intervals throughout the day to make sure everything ran smoothly.

United in purpose, spirit and determination

It is estimated that the Earl Mountbatten Hospice - which is the only hospice to care for 75% of all cancer patients and several other patients with life-shortening diseases on the Island, requires £5000 a day to operate. That is precisely why events such as Walk the Wight are imperative for it to maintain its place as an essential resource at the very heart of our Island community. The money generated by the hardy walkers this year will enable the hospice to extend its range of services, including the 'Hospice at Home Service' which allows patients to live out their final days in the comfort of their own home.

The exceptional effort made by participants this May, not least because of the appalling weather conditions, means so much to both the patients of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and their families; all of whom are said to be greatly consoled by the knowledge that so many people are willing to go all out to support them in this manner. For the walkers themselves, there seemed to be a real sense of humility that amidst their soaking wet exterior, blistering feet and mud-caked clothing, as reality dictated that their fortune resided in the fact that they were fit, well and healthy enough to take part in the first place.

As they approached the finish, walkers were rewarded by sunshine!

Having conquered steep chalk cliffs and perilously slippery terrains, with copious splatterings of rain thrown in for good measure, walkers made their way into Freshwater resigned in the knowledge that Tennyson Down, which is often referred to as the most challenging stretch of the walk, was fast approaching. For the majority of people (1800 of whom had already walked all the way from Bembridge with the remainder opting to start their journey at Carisbrooke Castle), it was actually a chance to 'dry out' as the rain and hail gave way to strong blustery winds and then eventually, once the end was in sight, bright sunshine!

With applause from supporters and onlookers, free tea and coffee vouchers available at the back of every walkers' time check book, samba band performance and medals presented by MP Andrew Turner to all who took part (including the dogs!) it was hard to wish for a better welcome into Alum Bay.

Held during the 16-day annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival, the walk was organised by volunteers from the Walk the Wight Committee, led by the hospice fundraising team and supported by many organisations, including Moreys, the IW County Press, IW Radio, HF Holidays, GlaxoSmithKline, Southern Water, Lucozade Sport and Toolbank, who provided refreshments.

Regardless of the weather, it is safe to say that not even the rain was able to dampen the spectacle of our Island community pulling together to support this most vital of local charities. With a whole year ahead to recover, it is very much hoped that walkers won't be deterred from taking part next year!

Please see our gallery of photographs, which captures the second half of Walk the Wight from Carisbrooke Castle to Album Bay.

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