As Guernsey enters stage three of its exit from lockdown, islanders are being encouraged to celebrate the community’s resilience and continue the Guernsey together spirit by signing-up to the 2020-2021 Saffery Rotary Walk as part of a relay team.
The Walk’s organising committee chair Simon Milsted said: “The Walk has always been a well-loved community event but this year we hope people will recognise the significance of being able to walk together in aid of the fantastic benefitting local charities. The relay is a great way for families, groups of friends, businesses and local organisations to take on the challenge of the walk together and celebrate what the community has overcome during the Pandemic.
“With everything that has happened over the past year, we want this to be our biggest and best Walk yet. The more walkers who take part, the more support and funding we can give to our nominated local charities and the greater #GuernseyWalkingTogether atmosphere we can foster on the day. Our early bird discounted registration rates are available until the end of March so now is a great time to rally your friends, family or colleagues and enter a relay team.”
The Walk is taking place on Saturday 5 June 2021 and will see hundreds of islanders take on the 39-mile round-island route individually or as part of a relay team. Relay teams, comprising of four to seven members, can divide the seven sections of the route amongst their walkers. Each section is between four and eight miles long and of varied levels of difficulty.
The relay was introduced in 2016 and has not only made the event more accessible but it has provided a great opportunity for team building or to mark a special occasion as a team. One team to do this was financial services business BWCI Group.
“Organising 40 people to take part in the Saffery Rotary Walk in 2019 was no mean feat but a perfect way to symbolise our 40th anniversary as a business. The sense of camaraderie on the day was palpable. The Walk brought together staff from across the organisation as a team. It all started however in the training walks in the lead up to the event, and this has continued for some into 2020/2021, pandemic allowing. It was an amazing team building opportunity and highly recommended – I’ve even been asked if we’re doing it again watch this space!”, said Alison Rimington, Senior HR Manager at BWCI Group.
Lisa Vizia, director at sponsors Saffery Champness and member of the Walk’s organising committee, added: “The Walk is a brilliant way to bring people together and it will be particularly poignant this year after we’ve all spent so much time apart. From having a shared goal and training together to the team spirit on the day and that combined sense of achievement at the finish. I would encourage everyone to get involved whether individually or as part of a relay team to experience that atmosphere as well as helping to raise funds towards the well-deserving charities”.
The early bird rate for individual walkers and relay teams are available until the 31 March. Individual walkers can pay a discounted price of £20 (£25 after 31 March) and team registration is currently available for £105 (£140 after 31 March).
Further information and a link to the Walk’s registration can be found here.