Record-breaking Saffery Rotary Walk raised £61k for good causes

Sunday 19 September 2021

More than 1,000 walkers, including 33 relay teams and 60 families, took part in the 2020-2021 Saffery Rotary Walk.

£61,000 has been distributed to Guernsey’s Rotary Clubs and 14 local benefiting charities who had to wait patiently following the enforced cancelation of the Walk last year.

The cheques were presented by the Walk’s Patron, His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, at a presentation evening at Government House this week. 

“Our aim was to make this year’s Walk bigger and better than ever before and I’m thrilled that we did just that,” said Simon Milsted, Chair of the Walk’s organising committee.

“It’s all thanks to the amazing local community who continue to support the event year after year by taking on the epic 39-mile challenge and raising thousands of pounds for fantastic local charities in the process.”

A number of special awards were given out during the presentation evening at Government House.

11-year-old Freddie Furley won the award for the youngest walker to complete the route and 74-year-old Christopher Lowe won the oldest walker award.

Pictured: Sir Ian Corder was presented with a framed special edition Saffery Rotary Walk t-shirt by Mr Milsted to commemorate the five years he has taken part in the event and supported it as patron. Sir Ian will be leaving the role of Lieutenant-Governor when his term of office ends on 30 November 2021.

James Stewart won the award for the most individual sponsorship raised – £12,000, almost 20% of the total raised. 

The PG Coast Busters won the award for most money raised by a team.

The Peter Walker award for special achievement was presented to Sam Winterflood after he overcame his personal challenges with autism and epilepsy to take part in the event.

This year’s Saffery Selfie competition was won by Kirsty and Freddie Furley for their sunrise photograph which captured Guernsey in all its glory. 

In all more than 13,000 people have taken part in the Walk over the last 24 years, raising more than £850,000 for local charities.

Lisa Vizia, Director at Saffery Champness and member of the organising committee, said: “The Walk has always been a well-loved community event but this year it was particularly poignant to see everyone walking together again in aid of so many brilliant charitable causes."

The charities that received funding in 2021

3rd Guernsey Scout Group - £1,000 for new tents;

ACTIVE - £600 for hire costs;

Guernsey Swimming Club - £4,200 for new equipment;

Guernsey Welfare Service - £5,000 for storage space;

Guernsey Voluntary Service - £8,500 for a new Meals on Wheels car;

Guernsey Marlins Special - £2,000 for travel costs to compete in the UK and Jersey;

Guernsey Multiple Myeloma Support - £5,000 for educational sessions for health professionals;

Health Connections - £3,500 for a talking café project;

Humankind - £3,500 for staff training;

Les Bourgs Hospice - £6,900 for TV and sound equipment;

Relate - £3,000 for software installation and training;

St Martin’s Primary School - £3,000 for furniture for a tranquillity corner;

The Set Sail Trust - £2,500 for educational trip to Herm;

The Inner Wheel Club of Guernsey – £2,500 to be applied to their benevolent work in the Bailiwick.

The next Saffery Rotary Walk takes place on 11 June 2022. Applications for funding can be made by any locally registered charity in need of financial support for a specific project or initiative.  For further information please email info@safferyrotarywalk.com