The 2020 Saffery Rotary Walk has been cancelled. The event, the round-island walk which sees hundreds of people each year taking on a 39-mile challenge, is a mainstay of the Guernsey charity fundraising calendar. Organisers have said they are confident it will return next year.
Organising committee chair Simon Milsted said: “Like so many promoters of important events in the Guernsey calendar we have been left with no option than to announce the cancelation of this year’s Walk in light of the public health advice we are all being given. Alternative arrangements for a deferred date later in the year are impractical given the uncertainty around when the current situation will resolve and, as a knock-on effect, the availability of our amazing team of volunteers to organise the Walk.
“You can imagine the disappointment amongst our volunteers who have already committed so much time and energy in the preparations for the Walk. My thanks go to them all.
“My thanks also go to our sponsor, Saffery Champness, who have stood by us and been so supportive of us during these unprecedented and difficult times.”
Lisa Vizia, director at Saffery Champness and member of the organising committee said: “Of course this decision is especially difficult given the amazing funds our walkers raise for local causes and I would like to take this opportunity to draw public attention to their obvious need for support.
“A list of charities that would have received funds from the Walk is available on our website and we would urge islanders to support them where they can.
Simon Milsted added: “I am sure walkers will understand that the decision was made reflecting our concerns for their safety and that of the community. But please don’t forget us. Be assured we intend it to be ‘business as usual’ next year in what will be named the “20/21 Saffery Rotary Walk” and what will be a celebration of the Walks amazing history.”
More information on registration cancellations and fundraising is available at: www.safferyrotarywalk.org.gg
