Following a record-breaking 2023, registration for the award-winning Walk the Wight opens today (Monday, 29 January).
Last year, thousands of walkers raised a whopping £460,000 for Mountbatten – the most ever – helping the charity deliver care to over 2,000 people across all of its services for 16 days.
Its success helped Walk the Wight win Best Island Event at the 2023 Red Funnel Awards and now Mountbatten is inviting the community to do it all again, on Sunday 12 May.
“Walk the Wight 2023 was a record breaker for Mountbatten, some £130,000 more than it has raised before,” said Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO.
“Somehow, thank you does not seem enough for what you all achieved.
“That sort of money makes a huge difference to so many people on the Island.
“So, how do we top that in 2024?
“I’m not sure but with our wonderful Island community behind us, I’m confident we’ll give it a good go, so please sign up.”
Sponsored by Red Funnel, Walk the Wight is an epic walk across the beautiful Isle of Wight countryside and offers multiple route options to suit all ages and abilities.
It is considered the largest walking event of its kind in Europe.
For 26.5 miles of glorious Isle of Wight scenery, there is the Full Walk, between Bembridge and The Needles. For something more manageable, there are two Half Walks (12.5 or 14 miles), or the wheelchair accessible, pushchair friendly Flat Walk (eight miles), between Sandown and Shide.
Once again, Mountbatten will be rewarding its top fundraisers in 2024.
Walkers who raise more than £500 by 12 April will receive a special keepsake and be invited into the hospice for a VIP Walk the Wight reception ahead of the event.
To register for Walk the Wight 2024, head to mountbatten.org.uk.
*Schools Walk the Wight registration will open at the beginning of March.