More than 700 people took part in the 21st Saffery Rotary Walk, often referred to as the Island Walk. This is a 39 mile trek around Guernsey’s coastline.
21 relay teams took part and, as a result of their endeavours, 20 local community projects will receive a share of £61,000 this year.
Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, also went the extra mile by not only completing the walk’s full distance but also by becoming its patron.
#Congratulations to Jeremy, Andrew, Nicole and William for completing @SRIslandWalk on Saturday in #Guernsey. They achieved the grueling 38.5 mile round-island walk in support of 20 local charities and all finished in the top 100 #SRW2018 pic.twitter.com/Y6wYBwziIv
— Appleby (@ApplebyGlobal) June 11, 2018
Simon Milsted, chair of the walk’s organising committee said last night: “This year was the 21st round island walk and every year it seems to get more and more support.
“We were thrilled that His Excellency has accepted the position of patron.
“He has undertaken to complete the challenge each year he is in office and now he is patron there can be no better endorsement of the fund-raising efforts of all the participants.
“It’s been another hugely successful walk and we hope this event continues to be embraced for another 21 years.”
The funds raised were presented to the walk’s chosen charities at a special presentation evening at Government House on September 25th.
The presentation evening is a highlight of the year when we can hand over all the donations to the 20 charities and know that the money will be going towards helping the island.”
The local charities benefiting from the 2018 Saffery Rotary Walk are:
- Bright Beginnings Children’s Centre
- Citizens Advice Guernsey
- Friends of DofE
- Guernsey Animal Aid
- Guernsey Army Cadet Force
- Guernsey Bereavement Service LBG Guernsey
- Mencap LBG Guernsey
- Mind Guernsey
- Mobility Let’s Go Group Guernsey
- Multiple Sclerosis Society Guernsey
- PND Support Group
- Guernsey Scout Association
- Guernsey Specials Gym Group
- GSPCA
- Lungevity
- Men’s Shed
- Guernsey Ormer FC Schools
- Library Service
- Sound Guernsey
- St James LBG
Eight-year-old Clara Ginnis won the award for the youngest walker to complete the route, while Charles Denton won the veteran walker award.
Matthew Barrett won the award for the most individual sponsorship raised and the Royal Court relay team took home the award for most money raised by a relay team for the second year in a row.
The Sir Peter Walker Award for Special Achievement, named in memory of the late Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Peter Walker, was presented to Karen Blanchford who was instrumental in opening the walk up to a team from the Guernsey Disability Alliance (GDA).
Volunteers smiling as they reach a checkpoint on the walk.
The GDA team has now completed the last two Saffery Rotary Walks and plans to take part again in future events.
Over the walk’s 21 years it has seen 7,000 participants take part, and over £740,000 has been raised for local causes.
Simon Milsted added: “The money raised by the walkers this year will make such a difference to so many people.
“The presentation evening is a highlight of the year when we can hand over all the donations to the 20 charities and know that the money will be going towards helping the island.”
The next Saffery Rotary Walk takes place Saturday, June 15, 2019.
Visit: www.safferyrotarywalk.com for more information or email info@safferyrotarywalk.com
