Fundraisers walk the walk for charity

Monday 14 September 2020

Almost half of the charities chosen as beneficiaries of the 2020 Saffery Rotary Walk have still received funds this year despite the walk’s cancellation, after walkers' generosity and corporate sponsors saved the day.

£17,500 was shared out between 10 charities at a special presentation evening at Government House.

The remaining 12 charities who were due to receive funds from the cancelled annual fundraiser have been added to the list of beneficiaries from the renamed ‘20-21 Saffery Rotary Walk’, which will return to the island’s coastal paths next year on Saturday 5 June 2021.

“This year has undoubtably had a profound impact on many local charities who have missed out on funding usually raised by community events," said Organising Committee Chairman Simon Milsted.

"While the walk was unfortunately one of those events which fell victim to the pandemic, we are extremely lucky and have been overwhelmed by the generosity of registered walkers, sponsors and ABTA. As a result, 10 of the 22 charities have been able to receive funding ahead of next year’s event.

Pictured: Sir Ian Corder, James Stewart, Simon Milsted, Lisa Vizia and Peter Niven at Government House. 

“In addition to walkers and donors, as ever, a huge thank you goes out to our event sponsor, Saffery Champness, who have stood by us this year and met all our cancellation and preparatory costs so all money received from donors is available for charitable purposes.”

Travel organisation ABTA pledged £12,000 to the cause. 

“With the walk understandably cancelled in 2020 we felt it would be important to make a one-off donation to support the various charities in Guernsey who had been due to benefit," said ABTA representative Peter Niven. "The walk is a fantastic event and often draws people from outside the island illustrating so well the strong links between Guernsey and the UK.”

The presentation evening also recognised the efforts of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, the Walk’s Patron, and three Lieutenant-Governor’s Cadets, Jacob Brady, Emily Snell and Jack Vaudin, who walked the route immediately after lockdown was lifted.

"Yet again we see in the Saffery Rotary Walk the immense power of our island community working together in mutual support at a time of crisis and disappointment," said Sir Ian.

Pictured: Sir Ian Corder and three of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Cadets walked the 39-mile route themselves after lockdown restrictions lifted. 

"I was very pleased to be asked to undertake the walk as a symbolic gesture of all that was going on behind the scenes in response to the cancelation of the full walk and to pay tribute to those whose efforts and support have had to be put on hold due to the corona virus.”

Saffery Champness Director Lisa Vizia, also member of the walk's organising committee, said His Excellency’s gesture "was a fantastic way to keep the walk alive".

"We also had several individuals and small groups who took it upon themselves to walk the 39-mile route this summer, letting us know of their efforts via social media, demonstrating the brilliant community spirit that the alk fosters each year.

“We would like to thank all those whose generosity has meant that 10 of the charities have been able to collect funding this year. We are very excited for the 20-21 Walk, and plan to make it extra special for all those who have missed out this year.”

Pictured: Representatives form nine of the 10 charities that received funds despite the walk's cancellation.