Last Saturday, 11th May, 425 people donned their walking boots and covered an incredible 7,500 miles in the Walk of Life event, raising money for The Forever Friends Appeal, the charity for Bath’s RUH.
Around half of the walkers completed the full distance, 26.2 miles – from Bishop Cannings, near Devizes, along the Kennet and Avon canal to the finish line at the Holburne Museum in Bath.
The rest of the walkers joined in at Bradford-on-Avon and walked the final 10 miles to the finish line.
The Walk of Life is the charity’s annual walking fundraising event and the aim is to raise funds to support patients and their families cared for at the RUH every year.
This year, the funds will go towards the charity’s RUH Cancer Care campaign for the new Dyson Cancer Centre, the new RNHRD and Therapies Centre and many of the hospital’s wards and departments.
Laura Pearce, Events and Community Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “Thank you so much to all of our brilliant walkers who took part and to those that helped make the Walk of Life happen.
“We have been so inspired hearing about the many reasons people take part – from walking in memory of a loved one, supporting someone currently receiving treatment or to get active and support a good cause – your walk on Saturday has the power to help so many patients at the RUH, so you should all be very proud!
“I would especially like to thank Michael Eavis CBE and Mayor of Devizes, Councillor Andy Geddes for setting the walkers off at the start line, the Mayor of Bradford on Avon, Councillor Simon McNeill- Ritchie for setting our 10 mile walkers off, the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones for handing the finisher medals, our volunteers who marshalled the route, MJ Church and Kier for sponsoring the event and everyone who came out to cheer our walkers on as they made it through the finish line.
“The Forever Friends Appeal has been transforming patient care at the RUH for 20 years and with the public’s support, we always will. Once we’ve received the sponsorship money, the total will be announced.
“Last year’s Walk of Life event raised over £100,000, so hopefully we’ll be close to that amount again this year.”
Next year’s Walk of Life event will take place on Saturday 16th May 2020 and places will open soon.
Anyone interested in taking part should visit the Appeal’s website for more information.
Walkers are provided with fundraising and training support, refreshments on the day as well as a medal and plenty of finish line celebrations. To sign up and find out more visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/events.